Three-Dimensional Printed Swabs for Diagnostic Testing

ABSTRACT

A three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of recesses each defined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis. As another alternative, the tip portion may include a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/992,698, filed on Mar. 20, 2020, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to swabs used for samplecollection and more particularly to three-dimensional printed swabs usedto collect biological samples for diagnostic testing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various types of devices may be used to collect biological samples fordiagnostic testing. In many instances, swabs having a shaft and a tipportion may be used for sample collection. During use, the shaft may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion to a targetlocation of a subject and collect a sample therefrom. For example, a tipportion of a nasopharyngeal swab may be advanced through a subject'snostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosafor evaluating a suspected viral infection. For different diagnostictests, various other types of swabs may be configured for insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom.

Existing swabs typically may be formed of two or more materials. Theshaft may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion may beformed of a different, second material and attached to the shaft. Forexample, traditional swabs may have a wooden shaft and a cotton tipportion. Other swabs may have a shaft formed of a suitable plastic and aflocked tip portion formed of a suitable synthetic material, such asnylon. Swabs often may be provided as a part, of a test kit that alsoincludes a vessel for containing the swab after sample collection andmedia for facilitating transport of the sample. For example, universalviral diagnostic test kits typically may include a minitip flocked swaband a test tube containing viral transport media. Importantly,traditional swabs formed of wood and cotton often may not be suitabledue to reactions between testing chemicals and the swab materials.

The fabrication and use of existing swabs may present certainlimitations. For example, during a period of increased demand for swabs,as may result from a pandemic disease, manufacturing capacity and/or asupply of material may not be sufficient to meet the demand.Additionally, for swabs having a shaft and a tip portion formed ofdifferent materials, manufacturing lead times may be impacted by thetime required to attach the tip material to the shaft material. Further,the tip portions of existing swabs may not be suitable or preferable forcollecting biological samples for certain diagnostic testingapplications.

A need therefore exists for improved swabs for use in collectingbiological samples for diagnostic testing and related methods forfabricating such swabs, which may overcome one or more of theabove-mentioned limitations associated with existing swabs and theirfabrication.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides three-dimensional printed swabs andrelated methods for fabricating three-dimensional printed swabs. In oneaspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided. In one embodiment,the three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaft defining alongitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrally formed withthe shaft. The tip portion may include a body extending outward from theshaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and aplurality of protrusions each extending outward from the body andtransverse to the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape,a diameter of the body may be constant along at least a portion of thebody, and each of the protrusions may extend outward from the at least aportion of the body having the constant diameter. In some embodiments,the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of thebody may vary along at least a portion of the body, and each of theprotrusions may extend outward from the at least a portion of the bodyhaving the varying diameter. In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions may include a series of circumferential arrays ofprotrusions positioned along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments,each of the circumferential arrays of protrusions may include four ormore protrusions having respective free ends equally spaced apart fromone another in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusionsmay include a first circumferential array of protrusions and a secondcircumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutively along thelongitudinal axis, and the protrusions of the first circumferentialarray of protrusions may be offset from the protrusions of the secondcircumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays of protrusionsalso may include a third circumferential array of protrusions positionedconsecutively along the longitudinal axis with respect to the secondcircumferential array of protrusions, and the protrusions of the firstcircumferential array of protrusions may be aligned with the protrusionsof the third circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferentialdirection. In some embodiments, the series of circumferential arrays ofprotrusions may include a first circumferential array of protrusions anda second circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutivelyalong the longitudinal axis, and the protrusions of the firstcircumferential array of protrusions may be aligned with the protrusionsof the second circumferential array of protrusions in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, the series ofcircumferential arrays of protrusions may include a firstcircumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential arrayof protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis,each of the protrusions of the first circumferential array ofprotrusions may have a first height relative to the body in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each of the protrusions of thesecond circumferential array of protrusions may have a second heightrelative to the body in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis, and the first height may be different from the second height.

In another aspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided. In oneembodiment, the three-dimensional printed swab may include a shaftdefining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portion integrallyformed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a body positionedcoaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of openings eachdefined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the plurality of openings may include a series ofcircumferential arrays of openings positioned along the longitudinalaxis, and each of the circumferential arrays of openings comprises fouror more openings equally spaced apart from one another in acircumferential direction around the longitudinal axis. In someembodiments, the plurality of openings may include a plurality ofrecesses each defined in the body, the plurality of recesses may includea first circumferential array of recesses and a second circumferentialarray of recesses positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis,and the recesses of the first circumferential array of recesses may bealigned with the recesses of the second circumferential array ofrecesses in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the bodymay include a plurality of rings defining the plurality of openings andarranged to form a lattice, the plurality of rings may include a seriesof circumferential bands of rings positioned along the longitudinalaxis, and each of the circumferential bands of rings may include four ormore rings attached to one another in series in a circumferentialdirection around the longitudinal axis.

In still another aspect, a three-dimensional printed swab is provided.In one embodiment, the three-dimensional printed swab may include ashaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tip portionintegrally formed with the shaft. The tip portion may include a bodyextending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with thelongitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outwardfrom the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape,a diameter of the body may be constant along at least a portion of thebody, and each of the annular ribs may extend outward from the at leasta portion of the body having the constant diameter. In some embodiments,the body may have a circular cross-sectional shape, a diameter of thebody may vary along at least a portion of the body, and each of theannular ribs may extend outward from the at least a portion of the bodyhaving the varying diameter. In some embodiments, the annular ribs maybe equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. Insome embodiments, consecutive pairs of the annular ribs may bepositioned adjacent one another. In some embodiments, the series ofannular ribs may include a first annular rib and a second annular ribpositioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, the first annularrib may have a first diameter, and the second annular rib may have asecond diameter that is different from the first diameter. In someembodiments, the series of annular ribs may include a first annular riband a second annular rib positioned consecutively along the longitudinalaxis, and the first annular rib and the second annular rib may have thesame diameter.

These and other aspects and improvements of the present disclosure willbecome apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with theseveral drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 1B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 2B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 3B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 4B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 5B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 6B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 7B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 7A,

FIG. 7C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 8B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 9B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 10B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 11B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion ofthree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 12B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 13B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a front view of an example shaft as may be used with athree-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a front view of an example shaft as may be used with athree-dimensional printed swab in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15A is a front view of an example three-dimensional printed swab inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure, the swabincluding a shaft and a tip portion.

FIG. 15B is a detailed front view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is a detailed perspective view of the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15D is a detailed, cross-sectional front view of the tip portion ofthe three-dimensional printed swab of FIG. 15A.

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration onlyand merely depict example embodiments of the disclosure. The drawingsare provided to facilitate understanding of the disclosure and shall notbe deemed to limit the breadth, scope, or applicability of thedisclosure. The use of the same reference numerals indicates similar,but not necessarily the same or identical components. Differentreference numerals may be used to identify similar components. Variousembodiments may utilize elements or components other than thoseillustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may notbe present in various embodiments. The use of singular terminology todescribe a component or element may, depending on the context, encompassa plural number of such components or elements and vice versa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the following description, specific details are set forth describingsome embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that some embodiments may be practiced without someor all of these specific details. The specific embodiments disclosedherein are meant to be illustrative but not limiting. One skilled in theart may realize other elements that, although not specifically describedhere, are within the scope and the spirit of this disclosure. Inaddition, to avoid unnecessary repetition, one or more features shownand described in association with one embodiment may be incorporatedinto other embodiments unless specifically described otherwise or if theone or more features would make an embodiment non-functional. In someinstances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not beendescribed in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of theembodiments.

Overview

Embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs and related methods forfabricating three-dimensional printed swabs are provided herein. Thethree-dimensional printed swabs may be used to collect biologicalsamples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing.For example, the three-dimensional printed swabs may be configured foruse as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostrilto collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa forevaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations ofthe three-dimensional printed swabs may be implemented for accommodatinginsertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach differenttarget locations and collect samples therefrom. In some embodiments, thethree-dimensional printed swabs may be provided as a part of a test kitthat also includes a vessel for containing the swab or a portion of theswab after sample collection and media for facilitating transport of thesample. For example, the three-dimensional printed swabs may be providedas a part of a universal viral diagnostic test kit that also includes atest tube containing viral transport media.

The three-dimensional printed swabs provided herein generally mayinclude a shaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab, and a tipportion integrally formed with the shaft. In some embodiments, the tipportion may include a body extending outward from the shaft andpositioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality ofprotrusions each extending outward from the body and transverse to thelongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include abody positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality ofopenings each defined in the body and extending inward toward thelongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the tip portion may include abody extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with thelongitudinal axis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outwardfrom the body and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis. Themethods for fabricating a three-dimensional printed swab provided hereingenerally may include receiving a digital three-dimensional modelcorresponding to the swab, and integrally forming, via three-dimensionalprinting and based at least in part on the digital three-dimensionalmodel, a shaft and a tip portion of the swab. The shaft may define alongitudinal axis of the swab. In some embodiments, the tip portion mayinclude a body extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxiallywith the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of protrusions eachextending outward from the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis.In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body positionedcoaxially with the longitudinal axis, and a plurality of openings eachdefined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis.In some embodiments, the tip portion may include a body extendingoutward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinalaxis, and a series of annular ribs each extending outward from the bodyand positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.

As discussed above, existing swabs for collecting biological samples fordiagnostic testing and existing techniques for fabricating such swabsmay have certain limitations. In some instances, during a period ofincreased demand for swabs, as may result from a pandemic disease,manufacturing capacity and/or a supply of material for fabricating suchswabs may not be sufficient to meet the demand. Moreover, for existingswabs having a shaft and a tip portion formed of different materials,manufacturing lead times may be adversely impacted by the time requiredto attach the tip material to the shaft material. Further, whenconsidering certain diagnostic testing applications, the tip portions ofexisting swabs may not be suitable or preferable for collectingbiological samples from the respective target locations.

The three-dimensional printed swabs and related methods for fabricatingthree-dimensional printed swabs provided herein advantageously mayovercome one or more of the limitations associated with existing swabsand techniques for their fabrication. As described herein, the swabs maybe fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing, a form of additivemanufacturing. In particular, fabrication methods may include receivinga digital three-dimensional (3D) model corresponding to the swab, andintegrally forming, via three-dimensional printing and based at least inpart on the digital three-dimensional model, the shaft and the tipportion of the swab. In this manner, because three-dimensional printingmay utilize different equipment and materials than those used formanufacture of existing swabs, fabrication of the swabs described hereinmay be unaffected by limited manufacturing capacity and/or a limitedsupply of material for existing swabs during a period of increaseddemand. The fabrication of the three-dimensional printed swabs may becarried out using any three-dimensional printers and any materials thatare suitable for patient use (i.e., those cleared by the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) or other relevant regulatory authority for patientuse). The digital three-dimensional model may be a Computer Aided Design(CAD) model created using various forms of 3D modeling software.Additionally, because the shaft and the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swabs may be integrally formed with oneanother, fabrication of the swabs may avoid the need to separatelyattach the tip portion to the shaft, as is required for existing swabs.Further, in certain applications, the tip portion of thethree-dimensional printed swabs may be configured to improve samplecollection as compared to existing swabs. As described herein, the tipportion may include protrusions, openings, or annular ribs that areconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Inparticular, the size, shape, number, and/or arrangement of theprotrusions, openings, or annular ribs may be selected to maximize asurface area of the tip portion that is configured to contact a targetlocation of a subject, thereby improving sample collection.

Still other benefits and advantages of the three-dimensional printedswabs and fabrication methods provided herein over existing swabtechnology will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artfrom the following description and the appended drawings.

Example Embodiments of Swabs

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, an example three-dimensional printed swab100 (which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”) is depicted. The three-dimensional printed swab 100 isconfigured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as ahuman subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, thethree-dimensional printed swab 100 may be configured for use as anasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril tocollect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa forevaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations ofand uses for the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the three-dimensional printed swab 100 may have an elongated,linear shape with a proximal end 102 (which also may be referred to as a“first end”) and a distal end 104 (which also may be referred to as a“second end”) positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axisA_(L) of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the swab 100, or at least aportion of the swab 100, may be flexible such that the swab 100 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The three-dimensional printed swab 100 may include a shaft 110 and a tipportion 130 that is integrally formed with the shaft 110. During use ofthe swab 100, the shaft 110 may be grasped and manipulated by a user toadvance the tip portion 130 to a target location of a subject andcollect a sample therefrom. As described below, the tip portion 130 maybe configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon.As shown, the shaft 110 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 100. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 110 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. Similarly, alongitudinal axis of the tip portion 130 may be coaxial with thelongitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. As shown, the shaft 110 mayextend from the proximal end 102 toward the distal end 104 of the swab100, and the tip portion 130 may extend from the distal end 104 towardthe proximal end 102 of the swab 100. In other words, a proximal end ofthe shaft 110 may define the proximal end 102 of the swab 100, and adistal end of the tip portion 130 may define the distal end 104 of theswab 100. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 110 and the tipportion 130 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 100. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 and/or the tip portion 130may be asymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. Insome embodiments, the shaft 110 and the tip portion 130 may be formed ofthe same material. In some embodiments, the shaft 110, or at least aportion of the shaft 110, may be formed of a first material, and the tipportion 130, or at least a portion of the tip portion 130, may be formedof a second material that is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 110 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape (as viewed in a cross-section taken perpendicularto the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100), although other shapesof the shaft 110 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments,the shaft 110 may include two or more portions having differentdiameters different maximum and/or minimum dimensions perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100 in embodiments in which thecross-sectional shape of the shaft 110 is non-circular). For example, asshown, the shaft 110 may include a proximal portion 112 having a firstdiameter, and a distal portion 114 having a second diameter that is lessthan the first diameter. In some embodiments, the first diameter may be2.5 mm, and the second diameter may be 1.5 mm, although other values ofthe first diameter and the second diameter may be used in otherembodiments. The shaft 110 also may include an intermediate portion 116and a separation portion 118. As shown, the intermediate portion 116 maybe positioned between the proximal portion 112 and the distal portion114 and may have a diameter that is equal to the first diameter of theproximal portion 112. In other embodiments, the diameter of theintermediate portion 116 may be greater than the first diameter of theproximal portion 112 or less than the first diameter of the proximalportion 112 but greater than the second diameter of the distal portion114. As shown, the separation portion 118 may be positioned between theproximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116 and may have adiameter that is equal to the second diameter of the distal portion 114.In other embodiments, the diameter of the separation portion 118 may beless than the second diameter of the distal portion 114 or greater thanthe second diameter of the distal portion 114 but less than the firstdiameter of the proximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116.In some embodiments, each of the diameters of the proximal portion 112,the distal portion 114, the intermediate portion 116, and the separationportion 118 may be constant along the length of the respective portion.In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of theproximal portion 112, the distal portion 114, the intermediate portion116, and the separation portion 118 may vary along the length of therespective portion of the shaft 110. In such instances, theabove-mentioned diameter of the respective portion having a varyingdiameter may be a maximum diameter of the respective portion of theshaft 110.

The separation portion 118 may be configured to facilitate separation ofthe proximal portion 112 from the intermediate portion 116. Inparticular, the smaller diameter of the separation portion 118 may allowa user to separate the proximal portion 112 from the intermediateportion 116 (and the remainder of the swab 100) upon grasping theproximal portion 112 and the intermediate portion 116 and applyingbending forces thereto until the separation portion 118 breaks. In thismanner, after using the swab 100 to collect a sample, the separationportion 118 may be broken, the distal portion 114, the intermediateportion 116, and the tip portion 130 may be inserted into a transportvessel, such as a test tube, and the proximal portion 112 may bediscarded. In some embodiments, the shaft 110 also may include a flange120 extending outward from the proximal portion 112. The flange 120 maybe positioned at or near the proximal end 102 of the swab 100. In thismanner, the flange 120 may be configured to facilitate grasping andmanipulation of the swab 100 by a user. Upon breaking the separationportion 118 of the swab 100, the flange 120 would be discarded alongwith the proximal portion 112.

As shown, the tip portion 130 may include a body 132 and a plurality ofprotrusions 140. The body 132 may extend outward from the shaft 110 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab100. Each of the protrusions 140 may extend outward from the body 132and transverse to the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. The body132 may provide a support structure for the protrusions 140. As shown,the body 132 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 132 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, the body 132 may include two or moreportions having different diameters (or different maximum and/or minimumdimensions perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100in embodiments in which the cross-sectional shape of the body 132 isnon-circular). For example, as shown, the body 132 may include aproximal portion 134 and a distal portion 136, with the distal portion136 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 134. In someembodiments, as shown, the diameter of the proximal portion 134 may beequal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 of the shaft110, and the diameter of the distal portion 136 may be greater than thefirst diameter of the proximal portion 112. In some embodiments, asshown, the diameter of the body 132 may be constant along the proximalportion 134, and the diameter of the body 132 may be constant along thedistal portion 136. In other embodiments, the diameter of the body 132may vary along one or both of the proximal portion 134 and the distalportion 136.

The protrusions 140 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, theprotrusions 140 may extend outward from the distal portion 136 of thebody 132, and the proximal portion 134 may be devoid of any protrusions140 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of theprotrusions 140 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L)of the swab 100. In other words, each of the protrusions 140 may extendin a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 100. Each of the protrusions 140 may have a base end 142 and a freeend 144, with a distance between the base end 142 and the free end 144defining a height (which alternatively may be referred to as a “length”)of the protrusion 140 relative to the body 132. In some embodiments, asshown, each of the protrusions 140 may have the same height. In otherembodiments, some of the protrusions 140 may have a first height, whileother protrusions 140 may have a second height that is different fromthe first height. As shown, the free ends 144 may define a thirddiameter. In some embodiments, as shown, the third diameter may begreater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 112 of the shaft110 and thus also greater than the second diameter of the distal portion114 of the shaft 110.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140 may have a cylindricalshape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, eachof the protrusions 140 may have a frustoconical shape with a circularcross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 140may have an elongated shape with an elliptical cross-sectional shape oran oval cross-sectional shape. Still other shapes and cross-sectionalshapes of the protrusions 140 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 140 may include a flatsurface at the free end 144 thereof. In some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 140 may include a rounded or otherwise curved surface at thefree end 144 thereof. For example, in some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 140 may include a protrusion base and a protrusion tip, withthe protrusion base extending from the base end 142 to the protrusiontip and having a cylindrical or otherwise elongated shape, and with theprotrusion tip extending from the protrusion base to the free end 144and having a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Insome embodiments, all of the protrusions 140 may have the same shape andthe same size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 140 mayhave the same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 140 mayhave a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 140 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions 140 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. In some embodiments, theplurality of protrusions 140 may include four (4) or morecircumferential arrays 150 positioned in series. Although fifteen (15)circumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions 140 are provided in theillustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential arrays 150positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 150 may include four (4)or more protrusions 140 positioned in an array. Although twenty (20)protrusions 140 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays 150in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 140 for each ofthe circumferential arrays 150 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 150, therespective free ends 144 of the protrusions 140 of the circumferentialarray 150 may be equally spaced apart from one another in thecircumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab100. In some embodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 150,the respective free ends 144 of the protrusions 140 of thecircumferential array 150 may be spaced apart from one another atunequal distances in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments,as shown, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 150, therespective base ends 142 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 140 ofthe circumferential array 150 may be equally spaced apart from oneanother in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for eachor some of the circumferential arrays 150, the respective base ends 142of the protrusions 140 of the circumferential array 150 may be spacedapart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferentialdirection. In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferentialarrays 150, the respective base ends 142 of the protrusions 140 of thecircumferential array 150 may be positioned adjacent one another in thecircumferential direction. In other words, the respective base ends 142of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 140 may not be spaced apart fromone another.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 150 of the protrusions140 may include a first circumferential array 150 a, a secondcircumferential array 150, a third circumferential array 150 c, and afourth circumferential array 150 d positioned consecutively along thelongitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. In some embodiments, therespective protrusions 140 of each consecutive pair of circumferentialarrays 150 may be offset from one another in the circumferentialdirection. For example, as shown, the protrusions 140 of the firstcircumferential array 150 a may be offset from the protrusions 140 ofthe second circumferential array 150 b in the circumferential direction,the protrusions 140 of the second circumferential array 150 b may beoffset from the protrusions 140 of the third circumferential array 150 cin the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 140 of the thirdcircumferential array 150 c may be offset from the protrusions 140 ofthe fourth circumferential array 150 d in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 140 of each pair ofcircumferential arrays 150 separated from one another by only a singleother circumferential array 150 may be aligned with one another in thecircumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 140 ofthe first circumferential array 150 a may be aligned with theprotrusions 140 of the third circumferential array 150 c in thecircumferential direction, and the protrusions 140 of the secondcircumferential array 150 b may be aligned with the protrusions 140 ofthe fourth circumferential array 150 d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 150 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L) of the swab 100. In some embodiments, the circumferentialarrays 150 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distancesalong the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 100. In some embodiments,respective consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 150 may bepositioned adjacent one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 100. In other words, the respective base ends 142 of theprotrusions 140 of consecutive pairs of the circumferential arrays 150may not be spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axisA_(L) of the swab 100. Various configurations of the series ofcircumferential arrays 150 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 130 also may include a tip 160. Asshown, the tip 160 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 130 and may define the distal end 104 of the swab 100. The tip160 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 130 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab100. The shape of the tip 160 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 160 may have a frustoconical shape having a taperedsurface extending to a flat surface positioned at the distal end of thetip 160. In some embodiments, the tip 160 may have a rounded orotherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 160.Still other shapes for the tip 160 may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, the protrusions 140 of one or more of thecircumferential arrays 150 may extend outward from a portion of the tip160. In some embodiments, as shown, the entire tip 160 may be devoid ofany protrusions 140 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 100 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 100 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 200(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 200 and the swab 100described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not berepeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding referencenumbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may beconfigured in a manner similar to the features described above unlessindicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between theswab 200 and the swab 100 relate to a shape of the body of the tipportion and varying diameters defined by the free ends of theprotrusions of the tip portion. The swab 200 is configured forcollecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject,for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 200 may beconfigured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through asubject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of therespiratory, mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Variousother configurations of and uses for the swab 200 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 200 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 202 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 204 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 200. In some embodiments, the swab 200, or at least a portion ofthe swab 200, may be flexible such that the swab 200 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 200 may include a shaft 210 and a tip portion 230 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 210. During use, the shaft 210 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 230 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 230 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 210 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab200. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 210 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 230 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 210 may extend from the proximal end 202 toward thedistal end 204 of the swab 200, and the tip portion 230 may extend fromthe distal end 204 toward the proximal end 202 of the swab 200. In someembodiments, as shown, the shall 210 and the tip portion 230 may besymmetric about, the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 210 and/or the tip portion 230 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 210 and the tipportion 230 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 210, or at least a portion of the shaft 210, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 230, or at least a portion of thetip portion 230, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 210 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 210 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 210may include a proximal portion 212 having a first diameter, a distalportion 214 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 216 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 218 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 212, the distal portion 214, the intermediate portion 216, andthe separation portion 218 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 210. As described above, theseparation portion 218 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 212 from the intermediate portion 216. In someembodiments, the shaft 210 also may include a flange 220 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 212.

As shown, the tip portion 230 may include a body 232 and a plurality ofprotrusions 240. The body 232 may extend outward from the shaft 210 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L) Each of theprotrusions 240 may extend outward from the body 232 and transverse tothe longitudinal axis A_(L). The body 232 may provide a supportstructure for the protrusions 240. As shown, the body 232 may have anelongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although othershapes of the body 232 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, the body 232 may include two or more portions havingdifferent diameters. For example, as shown, the body 232 may include aproximal portion 234 and a distal portion 236, with the distal portion236 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 234. In someembodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 236 may vary along thelength of the distal portion 236. For example, as shown, the diameter ofthe distal portion 236 may decrease from a maximum diameter at theproximal end of the distal portion 236 to a minimum diameter at thedistal end of the distal portion 236, although other arrangements of avarying diameter of the distal portion 236 may be used. In someembodiments, an outer profile of the distal portion 236 (as viewed froma plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG.2B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of theouter profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, asshown, the diameter of the proximal portion 234 may be equal to thefirst diameter of the proximal portion 212 of the shaft 210, and theminimum diameter of the distal portion 236 may be greater than the firstdiameter of the proximal portion 212.

The protrusions 240 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, theprotrusions 240 may extend outward from the distal portion 236 of thebody 232, and the proximal portion 234 may be devoid of any protrusions240 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of theprotrusions 240 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L).In other words, each of the protrusions 240 may extend in a radialdirection relative to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of theprotrusions 240 may have a base end 242 and a free end 244, with adistance between the base end 242 and the free end 244 defining a heightof the protrusion 240 relative to the body 232. In some embodiments, asshown, each of the protrusions 240 may have the same height. In otherembodiments, some of the protrusions 240 may have a first height, whileother protrusions 240 may have a second height that is different fromthe first height. The free ends 244 of the protrusions 240 may define athird diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by thefree ends 244 may vary along the length of the distal portion 236. Forexample, as shown, the third diameter may decrease from a maximumdiameter defined by the free ends 244 of protrusions 240 positioned nearor at the proximal end of the distal portion 236 to a minimum diameterdefined by the free ends 244 of protrusions 240 positioned near or atthe distal end of the distal portion 236, although other arrangements ofa varying diameter defined by the free ends 244 may be used. In someembodiments, as shown, the minimum diameter may be greater than thefirst diameter of the proximal portion 212 of the shaft 210.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240 may have a cylindricalshape with a circular cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, eachof the protrusions 240 may have a frustoconical shape with a circularcross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 240may have an elongated shape with an elliptical cross-sectional shape oran oval cross-sectional shape. Still other shapes and cross-sectionalshapes of the protrusions 240 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 240 may include a flatsurface at the free end 244 thereof. In some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 240 may include a rounded or otherwise curved surface at thefree end 244 thereof. For example, in some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 240 may include a protrusion base and a protrusion tip, withthe protrusion base extending from the base end 242 to the protrusiontip and having a cylindrical or otherwise elongated shape, and with theprotrusion tip extending from the protrusion base to the free end 244and having a partial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Insome embodiments, all of the protrusions 240 may have the same shape andthe same size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 240 mayhave the same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 240 mayhave a different shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 240 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 250 of the protrusions 240 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions 240 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 250positioned in series. Although fifteen (15) circumferential arrays 250are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morecircumferential arrays 250 positioned in series may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 250may include four (4) or more protrusions 240 positioned in an array.Although twenty (20) protrusions 240 are provided for each of thecircumferential arrays 250 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or moreprotrusions 240 for each of the circumferential arrays 250 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential arrays 250, the respective free ends 244 of theprotrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction around thelongitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab 200. In some embodiments, for eachof the circumferential arrays 250, the respective free ends 244 of theprotrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferentialarrays 250, the respective base ends 242 of consecutive pairs of theprotrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction. In someembodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 250, therespective base ends 242 of the protrusions 240 of the circumferentialarray 250 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances inthe circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some ofthe circumferential arrays 250, the respective base ends 242 of theprotrusions 240 of the circumferential array 250 may be positionedadjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in thecircumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 250 may include a firstcircumferential array 250 a, a second circumferential array 250 b, athird circumferential array 250 c, and a fourth circumferential array250 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective protrusions 240 of each consecutivepair of circumferential arrays 250 may be offset from one another in thecircumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 240 ofthe first circumferential array 250 a may be offset from the protrusions240 of the second circumferential array 250 b in the circumferentialdirection, the protrusions 240 of the second circumferential array 250 bmay be offset from the protrusions 240 of the third circumferentialarray 250 c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 240 ofthe third circumferential array 250 c may be offset from the protrusions240 of the fourth circumferential array 250 d in the circumferentialdirection. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 240 of eachpair of circumferential arrays 250 separated from one another by only asingle other circumferential array 250 may be aligned with one anotherin the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions240 of the first circumferential array 250 a may be aligned with theprotrusions 240 of the third circumferential array 250 c in thecircumferential direction, and the protrusions 240 of the secondcircumferential array 250 b may be aligned with the protrusions 240 ofthe fourth circumferential array 250 d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 250 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 250 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the circumferential arrays 250 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Various configurations of the series of circumferentialarrays 250 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 230 also may include a tip 260. Asshown, the tip 260 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 230 and may define the distal end 204 of the swab 200. The tip260 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 230 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab200. The shape of the tip 260 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 260 may have a frustoconical shape having a taperedsurface extending to a flat surface positioned at the distal end of thetip 260. In some embodiments, the tip 260 may have a rounded orotherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 260.Still other shapes for the tip 260 may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, the protrusions 240 of one or more of thecircumferential arrays 250 may extend outward from a portion of the tip260. In some embodiments, as shown, the entire tip 260 may be devoid ofany protrusions 240 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 200 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 2A-2C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 200 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 300(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 300 and the swabs 100,200 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and may not berepeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding referencenumbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may beconfigured in a manner similar to the features described above unlessindicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between theswab 300 and the swabs 100, 200 relate to a shape of the body of the tipportion, a shape of the protrusions of the tip portion, and varyingdiameters defined by the free ends of the protrusions. The swab 300 isconfigured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as ahuman subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 300may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advancedthrough a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of therespiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Variousother configurations of and uses for the swab 300 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 300 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 302 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 304 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 300. In some embodiments, the swab 300, or at least a portion ofthe swab 300, may be flexible such that the swab 300 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 300 may include a shaft 310 and a tip portion 330 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 310. During use, the shaft 310 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 330 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 330 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 310 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab300. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 310 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 330 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 310 may extend from the proximal end 302 toward thedistal end 304 of the swab 300, and the tip portion 330 may extend fromthe distal end 304 toward the proximal end 302 of the swab 300. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 310 and the tip portion 330 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 310 and/or the tip portion 330 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 310 and the tipportion 330 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 310, or at least a portion of the shaft 310, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 330, or at least a portion of thetip portion 330, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 310 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 310 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 310may include a proximal portion 312 having a first diameter, a distalportion 314 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 316 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 318 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 312, the distal portion 314, the intermediate portion 316, andthe separation portion 318 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 310. As described above, theseparation portion 318 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 312 from the intermediate portion 316. In someembodiments, the shaft 310 also may include a flange 320 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 312.

As shown, the tip portion 330 may include a body 332 and a plurality ofprotrusions 340. The body 332 may extend outward from the shaft 310 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe protrusions 340 may extend outward from the body 332 and transverseto the longitudinal axis A_(L). The body 332 may provide a supportstructure for the protrusions 340. As shown, the body 332 may have anelongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although othershapes of the body 332 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the body 332 may have a cylindrical shape with acircular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along thelength of the body 332. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body332 may vary along the length of the body 332. In some embodiments, asshown, the diameter of the body 332 may be equal to the first diameterof the proximal portion 312 of the shaft 310. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 332 may be greater than the first diameter of theproximal portion 312.

The protrusions 340 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 340 may extendoutward from the body 332. In some embodiments, as shown, a proximalportion of the body 332 may be devoid of any protrusions 340 extendingtherefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 340may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L). In other words,each of the protrusions 340 may extend in a radial direction relative tothe longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the protrusions 340 may have a baseend 342 and a free end 344, with a distance between the base end 342 andthe free end 344 defining a height of the protrusion 340 relative to thebody 332. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 340 may havevarying heights relative to the body 332. For example, as shown, theheights of the protrusions 340 may increase from a first height near orat the proximal end of the body 332 to a second height at anintermediate location along the length of the body 332 and may decreasefrom the second height at the intermediate location to a third heightnear or at the distal end of the body 332. In such embodiments, thefirst height and/or the third height may be a minimum height of theprotrusions 340, and the second height may be a maximum height of theprotrusions 340. Other variations of the height of the protrusions 340may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 340 may have the same height. The free ends 344 of theprotrusions 340 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, thethird diameter defined by the free ends 344 may vary along the length ofthe body 332. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increasefrom a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 344 of protrusions 340positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 332 to a maximumdiameter defined by the free ends 344 of protrusions 340 positioned atthe intermediate location and may decrease from the maximum diameter atthe intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends344 of protrusions 340 positioned near or at the distal end of the body332, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by thefree ends 344 may be used. In some embodiments, as shown, the minimumdiameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion312 of the shaft 310.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 340 may include aprotrusion base 346 and a protrusion tip 348. The protrusion base 346may extend from the base end 342 to the protrusion tip 348, and theprotrusion tip 348 may extend from the protrusion base 346 to the freeend 344. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 346 may havea cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 348 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes ofthe protrusion base 346 and the protrusion tip 348 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions 340may have the same shape, although respective heights of the protrusions340 may vary, as described above.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 340 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 350 of the protrusions 340 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions 340 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 350positioned in series. Although twenty (20) circumferential arrays 350are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morecircumferential arrays 350 positioned in series may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 350may include four (4) or more protrusions 340 positioned in an array.Although eight (8) protrusions 340 are provided for each of thecircumferential arrays 350 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or moreprotrusions 340 for each of the circumferential arrays 350 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential arrays 350, the respective free ends 344 of theprotrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction around thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, for each of thecircumferential arrays 350, the respective free ends 344 of theprotrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays350, the respective base ends 342 of the protrusions 340 of thecircumferential array 350 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e.,not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. Insome embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 350,the respective base ends 342 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 340of the circumferential array 350 may be equally spaced apart from oneanother in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for eachor some of the circumferential arrays 350, the respective base ends 342of the protrusions 340 of the circumferential array 350 may be spacedapart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferentialdirection.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 350 may include a firstcircumferential array 350 a, a second circumferential array 350 b, athird circumferential array 350 c, and a fourth circumferential array350 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective protrusions 340 of each consecutivepair of circumferential arrays 350 may be offset from one another in thecircumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions 340 ofthe first circumferential array 350 a may be offset from the protrusions340 of the second circumferential array 350 b in the circumferentialdirection, the protrusions 340 of the second circumferential array 350 bmay be offset from the protrusions 340 of the third circumferentialarray 350 c in the circumferential direction, and the protrusions 340 ofthe third circumferential array 350 c may be offset from the protrusions340 of the fourth circumferential array 350 d in the circumferentialdirection. In some embodiments, the respective protrusions 340 of eachpair of circumferential arrays 350 separated from one another by only asingle other circumferential array 350 may be aligned with one anotherin the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions340 of the first circumferential array 350 a may be aligned with theprotrusions 340 of the third circumferential array 350 c in thecircumferential direction, and the protrusions 340 of the secondcircumferential array 350 b may be aligned with the protrusions 340 ofthe fourth circumferential array 350 d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of thecircumferential arrays 350 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e.,not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_(L).Ira some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 350 may be positionedequally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L).In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 350 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L).Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 350 maybe used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 330 also may include a tip 360. Asshown, the tip 360 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 330 and may define the distal end 304 of the swab 300. The tip360 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 330 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab300. The shape of the tip 360 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. Ira some embodiments, asshown, the tip 360 may have a cylindrical shape having a flat surfacepositioned at the distal end of the tip 360. As shown, a diameter of thetip 360 may be less than the diameter of the body 332. In someembodiments, the tip 360 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surfacepositioned at the distal end of the tip 360. Still other shapes for thetip 360 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown,the protrusions 340 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 350 mayextend outward from a portion of the tip 360. In some embodiments, theentire tip 360 may be devoid of any protrusions 340 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 300 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 3A-3C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 300 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 400(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 400 and the swabs 100,200, 300 described above will be appreciated from the drawings and maynot be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Corresponding referencenumbers are used for corresponding features, which generally may beconfigured in a manner similar to the features described above unlessindicated otherwise. As described below, certain differences between theswab 400 and the swab 300 relate to a configuration of the protrusionsof consecutive circumferential arrays of protrusions of the tip portion.The swab 400 is configured for collecting biological samples from asubject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In someembodiments, the swab 400 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngealswab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample fromthe surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viralinfection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 400 maybe envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodatinginsertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach differenttarget locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostictests.

As shown, the swab 400 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 402 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 404 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 400. In some embodiments, the swab 400, or at least a portion ofthe swab 400, may be flexible such that the swab 400 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 400 may include a shaft 410 and a tip portion 430 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 410. During use, the shaft 410 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 430 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 430 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 410 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab400. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 410 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 430 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 410 may extend from the proximal end 402 toward thedistal end 404 of the swab 400, and the tip portion 430 may extend fromthe distal end 404 toward the proximal end 402 of the swab 400. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 410 and the tip portion 430 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 410 and/or the tip portion 430 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 410 and the tipportion 430 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 410, or at least a portion of the shaft 410, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 430, or at least a portion of thetip portion 430, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 410 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 410 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 410may include a proximal portion 412 having a first diameter, a distalportion 414 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 416 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 418 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 412, the distal portion 414, the intermediate portion 416, andthe separation portion 418 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 410. As described above, theseparation portion 418 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 412 from the intermediate portion 416. In someembodiments, the shaft 410 also may include a flange 420 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 412.

As shown, the tip portion 430 may include a body 432 and a plurality ofprotrusions 440. The body 432 may extend outward from the shaft 410 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe protrusions 440 may extend outward from the body 432 and transverseto the longitudinal axis A_(L). The body 432 may provide a supportstructure for the protrusions 440. As shown, the body 432 may have anelongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although othershapes of the body 432 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the body 432 may have a cylindrical shape with acircular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along thelength of the body 432. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body432 may vary along the length of the body 432. In some embodiments, asshown, the diameter of the body 432 may be equal to the first diameterof the proximal portion 412 of the shaft 410. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 432 may be greater than the first diameter of theproximal portion 412.

The protrusions 440 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 440 may extendoutward from the body 432. In some embodiments, as shown, a proximalportion of the body 432 may be devoid of any protrusions 440 extendingtherefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 440may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L). In other words,each of the protrusions 440 may extend in a radial direction relative tothe longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the protrusions 440 may have a baseend 442 and a free end 444, with a distance between the base end 442 andthe free end 444 defining a height of the protrusion 440 relative to thebody 432. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusions 440 may havevarying heights relative to the body 432. For example, as shown, theheights of the protrusions 440 may increase from a first height near orat the proximal end of the body 432 to a second height at anintermediate location along the length of the body 432 and may decreasefrom the second height at the intermediate location to a third heightnear or at the distal end of the body 432. In such embodiments, thefirst height and/or the third height may be a minimum height of theprotrusions 440, and the second height may be a maximum height of theprotrusions 440. Other variations of the height of the protrusions 440may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, each of theprotrusions 440 may have the same height. The free ends 444 of theprotrusions 440 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, thethird diameter defined by the free ends 444 may vary along the length ofthe body 432. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increasefrom a minimum diameter defined by the free ends 444 of protrusions 440positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 432 to a maximumdiameter defined by the free ends 444 of protrusions 440 positioned atthe intermediate location and may decrease from the maximum diameter atthe intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the free ends444 of protrusions 440 positioned near or at the distal end of the body432, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined by thefree ends 444 may be used. In some embodiments, as shown, the minimumdiameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion412 of the shaft 410.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 440 may include aprotrusion base 446 and a protrusion tip 448. The protrusion base 446may extend from the base end 442 to the protrusion tip 448, and theprotrusion tip 448 may extend from the protrusion base 446 to the freeend 444. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 446 may havea cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 448 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes ofthe protrusion base 446 and the protrusion tip 448 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions 440may have the same shape, although respective heights of the protrusions440 may vary, as described above.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 440 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 450 of the protrusions 440 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions 440 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 450positioned in series. Although twenty (20) circumferential arrays 450are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morecircumferential arrays 450 positioned in series may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 450may include four (4) or more protrusions 440 positioned in an array.Although eight (8) protrusions 440 are provided for each of thecircumferential arrays 450 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or moreprotrusions 440 for each of the circumferential arrays 450 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential arrays 450, the respective free ends 444 of theprotrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction around thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, for each of thecircumferential arrays 450, the respective free ends 444 of theprotrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays450, the respective base ends 442 of the protrusions 440 of thecircumferential array 450 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e.,not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. Insome embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 450,the respective base ends 442 of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 440of the circumferential array 450 may be equally spaced apart from oneanother in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for eachor some of the circumferential arrays 450, the respective base ends 442of the protrusions 440 of the circumferential array 450 may be spacedapart from one another at unequal distances in the circumferentialdirection.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 450 may include a firstcircumferential array 450 a, a second circumferential array 450 b, athird circumferential array 450 c, and a fourth circumferential array450 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective protrusions 440 of each consecutivepair of circumferential arrays 450 may be aligned with one another inthe circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respectiveprotrusions 440 of each of the circumferential arrays 450 may be alignedwith one another in the circumferential direction. For example, asshown, the protrusions 440 of the first circumferential array 450 a maybe aligned in the circumferential direction with the protrusions 440 ofthe second circumferential array 450 b, the protrusions 440 of the thirdcircumferential array 450 c, and the protrusions 440 of the fourthcircumferential array 450 d.

In some embodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of thecircumferential arrays 450 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e.,not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the circumferential arrays 450 may be positionedequally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L).In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 450 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L).Various configurations of the series of circumferential arrays 450 maybe used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 430 also may include a tip 460. Asshown, the tip 460 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 430 and may define the distal end 404 of the swab 400. The tip460 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 430 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab400. The shape of the tip 460 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 460 may have a cylindrical shape having a flat surfacepositioned at the distal end of the tip 460. As shown, a diameter of thetip 460 may be less than the diameter of the body 432. In someembodiments, the tip 460 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surfacepositioned at the distal end of the tip 460. Still other shapes for thetip 460 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown,the protrusions 440 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 450 mayextend outward from a portion of the tip 460. In some embodiments, theentire tip 460 may be devoid of any protrusions 440 extending therefrom.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 400 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 4A-4C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 400 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 500(which also may be referred to as a. “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 500 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400 described above will be appreciated from the drawings andmay not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Correspondingreference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generallymay be configured in a manner similar to the features described aboveunless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differencesbetween the swab 500 and the swab 100 relate to a shape of the body ofthe tip portion, a shape of the protrusions of the tip portion, aconfiguration of the protrusions of consecutive circumferential arraysof protrusions, and varying diameters defined by the free ends of theprotrusions. The swab 500 is configured for collecting biologicalsamples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing.In some embodiments, the swab 500 may be configured for use as anasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril tocollect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa forevaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations ofand uses for the swab 500 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skillin the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of asubject to reach different target locations and collect samplestherefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 500 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 502 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 504 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 500. In some embodiments, the swab 500, or at least a portion ofthe swab 500, may be flexible such that the swab 500 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 500 may include a shaft 510 and a tip portion 530 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 510. During use, the shaft 510 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 530 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 530 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 510 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab500. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 510 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 530 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 510 may extend from the proximal end 502 toward thedistal end 504 of the swab 500, and the tip portion 530 may extend fromthe distal end 504 toward the proximal end 502 of the swab 500. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 510 and the tip portion 530 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 510 and/or the tip portion 530 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 510 and the tipportion 530 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 510, or at least a portion of the shaft 510, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 530, or at least a portion of thetip portion 530, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 510 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 510 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 510may include a proximal portion 512 having a first diameter, a distalportion 514 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 516 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 518 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 512, the distal portion 514, the intermediate portion 516, andthe separation portion 518 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 510. As described above, theseparation portion 518 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 512 from the intermediate portion 516. In someembodiments, the shaft 510 also may include a flange 520 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 512.

As shown, the tip portion 530 may include a body 532 and a plurality ofprotrusions 540. The body 532 may extend outward from the shaft 510 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe protrusions 540 may extend outward from the body 532 and transverseto the longitudinal axis A_(L). The body 532 may provide a supportstructure for the protrusions 540. As shown, the body 532 may have anelongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, although othershapes of the body 532 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, the body 532 may include two or more portions havingdifferent diameters. For example, as shown, the body 532 may include aproximal portion 534 and a distal portion 536, with the distal portion536 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion 534. In someembodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 536 may vary along thelength of the distal portion 536. For example, as shown, the diameter ofthe distal portion 536 may increase from a minimum diameter at or nearthe proximal end of the distal portion 536 to a maximum diameter at anintermediate location along the length of the distal portion 536 and maydecrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to aminimum diameter at or near the distal end of the distal portion 536,although other arrangements of a varying diameter of the distal portion536 may be used. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the distalportion 536 (as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axisA_(L), for example, as in FIG. 5B) may have a curved shape, although alinear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion534 may vary along the length of the proximal portion 534. In someembodiments, as shown, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 534may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 512 of theshaft 510, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 536 may begreater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 512.

The protrusions 540 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. In some embodiments, as shown, theprotrusions 540 may extend outward from the distal portion 536 of thebody 532, and the proximal portion 534 may be devoid of any, protrusions540 extending therefrom. In some embodiments, as shown, each of theprotrusions 540 may extend perpendicular to a respective surface of thedistal portion 536 at which the protrusion 540 is positioned. Each ofthe protrusions 540 may have a base end 542 and a free end 544, with adistance between the base end 542 and the free end 544 defining a heightof the protrusion 540 relative to the body 532. In some embodiments, asshown, each of the protrusions 540 may have the same height. In otherembodiments, some of the protrusions 540 may have a first height, whileother protrusions 540 may have a second height that is different fromthe first height. The free ends 544 of the protrusions 540 may define athird diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by thefree ends 544 may vary along the length of the distal portion 536. Forexample, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimumdiameter defined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540 positioned nearor at the proximal end of the distal portion 536 to a maximum diameterdefined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540 positioned at anintermediate location along the length of the distal portion 536 and maydecrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to aminimum diameter defined by the free ends 544 of protrusions 540positioned near or at the distal end of the distal portion 236, althoughother arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the free ends 544may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greaterthan the first diameter of the proximal portion 512 of the shaft 510.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 540 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes ofthe protrusions 540 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, all of the protrusions 540 may have the same shape and thesame size. In other embodiments, some of the protrusions 540 may havethe same shape and the same size, while other protrusions 540 may have adifferent shape and/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 540 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 550 of the protrusions 540 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions 540 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 550positioned in series. Although twenty-four (24) circumferential arrays550 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morecircumferential arrays 550 positioned in series may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 550may include four (4) or more protrusions 540 positioned in an array. Insome embodiments, some of the circumferential arrays 550 each mayinclude a first number of the protrusions 540, while othercircumferential arrays 550 each may include a different, second numberof the protrusions 540. For example, according to the illustratedembodiment, some of the circumferential arrays 550 each may includesixteen (16) protrusions 540, while other circumferential arrays 550each may include eight (8) protrusions 540. Fewer or more protrusions540 for each of the circumferential arrays 550 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential arrays 550, the respective free ends 544 of theprotrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction around thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, for each of thecircumferential arrays 550, the respective free ends 544 of theprotrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, as shown, for each or some of the circumferentialarrays 550, the respective base ends 542 of consecutive pairs of theprotrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be equally spacedapart from one another in the circumferential direction. In someembodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 550 therespective base ends 542 of the protrusions 540 of the circumferentialarray 550 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances inthe circumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some ofthe circumferential arrays 550, the respective base ends 542 of theprotrusions 540 of the circumferential array 550 may be positionedadjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in thecircumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 550 may include a firstcircumferential array 550 a, a second circumferential array 550 b, athird circumferential array 550 c, and a fourth circumferential array550 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective protrusions 540 of each consecutivepair of circumferential arrays 550 may be aligned with one another inthe circumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respectiveprotrusions 540 of each of the circumferential arrays 550 may be alignedwith one another in the circumferential direction. For example, asshown, the protrusions 540 of the first circumferential array 550 a maybe aligned in the circumferential direction with the protrusions 540 ofthe second circumferential array 550 b, the protrusions 540 of the thirdcircumferential array 550 c, and the protrusions 540 of the fourthcircumferential array 550 d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 550 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 550 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the circumferential arrays 550 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Various configurations of the series of circumferentialarrays 550 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 530 also may include a tip 560. Asshown, the tip 560 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 530. The tip 560 may be configured to contact anatomicalfeatures and to guide the tip portion 530 to a target location of asubject during use of the swab 500. The shape of the tip 560 may beconfigured for atraumatically contacting anatomical features of thesubject. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 560 may have a roundedor otherwise curved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 560.Other shapes for the tip 560 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the protrusions 540 of one or more of thecircumferential arrays 550 may extend outward and/or distally from aportion of the tip 560. In some embodiments, the entire tip 560 may bedevoid of any protrusions 540 extending therefrom. In some embodiments,as shown, one or more of the protrusions 540 extending from the tip 560may define the distal end 504 of the swab 500. In some embodiments, thetip 560 may define the distal end 504 of the swab 500.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 500 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 5A-5C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 500 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 600(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 600 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500 described above will be appreciated from the drawingsand may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Correspondingreference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generallymay be configured in a manner similar to the features described aboveunless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differencesbetween the swab 600 and the swab 500 relate to the tip portionincluding a plurality of recesses instead of protrusions. The swab 600is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such asa human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab600 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advancedthrough a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of therespiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Variousother configurations of and uses for the swab 600 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 600 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 602 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 604 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 600. In some embodiments, the swab 600, or at least a portion ofthe swab 600, may be flexible such that the swab 600 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 600 may include a shaft 610 and a tip portion 630 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 610. During use, the shaft 610 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 630 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 630 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 610 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab600. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 610 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 630 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 610 may extend from the proximal end 602 toward thedistal end 604 of the swab 600, and the tip portion 630 may extend fromthe distal end 604 toward the proximal end 602 of the swab 600. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 610 and the tip portion 630 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 610 and/or the tip portion 630 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 610 and the tipportion 630 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 610, or at least a portion of the shaft 610, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 630, or at least a portion of thetip portion 630, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 610 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 610 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 610may include a proximal portion 612 having a first diameter, a distalportion 614 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 616 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 618 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 612, the distal portion 614, the intermediate portion 616, andthe separation portion 618 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 610. As described above, theseparation portion 618 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 612 from the intermediate portion 616. In someembodiments, the shaft 610 also may include a flange 620 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 612.

As shown, the tip portion 630 may include a body 632 and a plurality ofrecesses 640 (which also may be referred to as “openings”) defined inthe body 632. The body 632 may extend outward from the shaft 610 and maybe positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of therecesses 640 may extend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the body 632 may have an elongated shape with a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 632 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the body 632 may include twoor more portions having different diameters. For example, as shown, thebody 632 may include a proximal portion 634 and a distal portion 636,with the distal portion 636 having a greater diameter than the proximalportion 634. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 636may vary along the length of the distal portion 636. For example, asshown, the diameter of the distal portion 636 may increase from aminimum diameter at or near the proximal end of the distal portion 636to a maximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length ofthe distal portion 636 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at theintermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end ofthe distal portion 636, although other arrangements of a varyingdiameter of the distal portion 636 may be used. In some embodiments, anouter profile of the distal portion 636 (as viewed from a plane parallelto the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG. 6B) may have acurved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile maybe used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of theproximal portion 634 may vary along the length of the proximal portion634. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 634may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 612 of theshaft 610, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 636 may begreater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 612.

The recesses 640 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample therein. In some embodiments, as shown, the recesses640 may be defined in the distal portion 636 of the body 632, and theproximal portion 634 may be devoid of any recesses 640 defined therein.In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 640 may extendperpendicular to a respective surface of the distal portion 636 at whichthe recess 640 is positioned. Each of the recesses 640 may have an openend 642 and a closed end 644, with a distance between the open end 642and the closed end 644 defining a depth of the recess 640. In someembodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 640 may have the same depth.In other embodiments, some of the recesses 640 may have a first depth,while other recesses 640 may have a second depth that is different fromthe first depth. The closed ends 644 of the recesses 640 may define athird diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by theclosed ends 644 may vary along the length of the distal portion 636. Forexample, as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimumdiameter defined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640 positioned nearor at the proximal end of the distal portion 636 to a maximum diameterdefined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640 positioned at anintermediate location along the length of the distal portion 636 and maydecrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to aminimum diameter defined by the closed ends 644 of recesses 640positioned near or at the distal end of the distal portion 636, althoughother arrangements of a varying diameter defined by the closed ends 644may be used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greaterthan the first diameter of the proximal portion 612 of the shaft 610.

In some embodiments, each of the recesses 640 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes ofthe recesses 640 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments,all of the recesses 640 may have the same shape and the same size. Inother embodiments, some of the recesses 640 may have the same shape andthe same size, while other recesses 640 may have a different shapeand/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of recesses 640 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 650 of the recesses 640 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses640 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 650 positionedin series. Although twenty-four (24) circumferential arrays 650 areprovided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferentialarrays 650 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 650 may includefour (4) or more recesses 640 positioned in an array. In someembodiments, some of the circumferential arrays 650 each may include afirst number of the recesses 640, while other circumferential arrays 650each may include a different, second number of the recesses 640. Forexample, according to the illustrated embodiment, some of thecircumferential arrays 650 each may include seven (7) recesses 640,while other circumferential arrays 650 each may include fourteen (14)recesses 640. Fewer or more recesses 640 for each of the circumferentialarrays 650 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, asshown, for each of the circumferential arrays 650, the respective openends 642 of the recesses 640 of the circumferential array 650 may beequally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential directionaround the longitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, for each of thecircumferential arrays 650, the respective open ends 642 of the recesses640 of the circumferential array 650 may be spaced apart from oneanother at unequal distances in the circumferential direction. In someembodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays 650, therespective open ends 642 of the recesses 640 of the circumferentialarray 650 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apartfrom one another) in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 650 may include a firstcircumferential array 650 a, a second circumferential array 650 b, athird circumferential array 650 c, and a fourth circumferential array650 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective recesses 640 of each consecutive pairof circumferential arrays 650 may be aligned with one another in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective recesses640 of each of the circumferential arrays 650 may be aligned with oneanother in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, therecesses 640 of the first circumferential array 650 a may be aligned inthe circumferential direction with the recesses 640 of the secondcircumferential array 650 b, the recesses 640 of the thirdcircumferential array 650 c, and the recesses 640 of the fourthcircumferential array 650 d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 650 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 650 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the circumferential arrays 650 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Various configurations of the series of circumferentialarrays 650 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 630 also may include a tip 660. Asshown, the tip 660 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 630 and may define the distal end 604 of the swab 600. The tip660 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 630 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab600. The shape of the tip 660 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 660 may have a rounded or otherwise curved surfacepositioned at the distal end of the tip 660. Other shapes for the tip660 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, therecesses 640 of one or more of the circumferential arrays 650 may bedefined in a portion of the tip 660. In some embodiments, as shown, anadditional, single recess 640 may be defined in the tip 660 andpositioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). In someembodiments, the entire tip 660 may be devoid of any recesses 640defined therein.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 600 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 6A-6C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 600 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 700(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 700 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600 described above will be appreciated from thedrawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition.Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features,which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the featuresdescribed above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certaindifferences between the swab 700 and the swab 600 relate to a shape ofthe body of the tip portion and a shape of the tip of the tip portion.The swab 700 is configured for collecting biological samples from asubject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In someembodiments, the swab 700 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngealswab to be advanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample fromthe surface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viralinfection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 700 maybe envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodatinginsertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach differenttarget locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostictests.

As shown, the swab 700 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 702 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 704 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 700. In some embodiments, the swab 700, or at least a portion ofthe swab 700, may be flexible such that the swab 700 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 700 may include a shaft 710 and a tip portion 730 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 710. During use, the shaft 710 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 730 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 730 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 710 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab700. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 710 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 730 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 710 may extend from the proximal end 702 toward thedistal end 704 of the swab 700, and the tip portion 730 may extend fromthe distal end 704 toward the proximal end 702 of the swab 700. In someembodiments, as shown, the shall 710 and the tip portion 730 may besymmetric about, the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 710 and/or the tip portion 730 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 710 and the tipportion 730 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 710, or at least a portion of the shaft 710, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 730, or at least a portion of thetip portion 730, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 710 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 710 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 710may include a proximal portion 712 having a first diameter, a distalportion 714 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 716 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 718 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 712, the distal portion 714, the intermediate portion 716, andthe separation portion 718 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 710. As described above, theseparation portion 718 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 712 from the intermediate portion 716. In someembodiments, the shaft 710 also may include a flange 720 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 712.

As shown, the tip portion 730 may include a body 732 and a plurality ofrecesses 740 (which also may be referred to as “openings”) defined inthe body 732. The body 732 may extend outward from the shaft 710 and maybe positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of therecesses 740 may extend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the body 732 may have an elongated shape with a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the body 732 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 732may vary along the length of the body 732. For example, as shown, thediameter of the body 732 may increase from a minimum diameter at or nearthe proximal end of the body 732 to a maximum diameter at anintermediate location along the length of the body 732 and may decreasefrom the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimumdiameter at or near the distal end of the body 732, although otherarrangements of a varying diameter of the body 732 may be used. In someembodiments, an outer profile of the body 732 (as viewed from a planeparallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG. 7B) mayhave a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outerprofile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, a maximumdiameter of the body 732 may be greater than the first diameter of theproximal portion 712 of the shaft 710.

The recesses 740 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample therein. In some embodiments, as shown, the recesses740 may be defined in a distal portion of the body 732, and a proximalportion of the body 732 may be devoid of any recesses 740 definedtherein. In some embodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 740 mayextend perpendicular to a respective surface of the body 732 at whichthe recess 740 is positioned. Each of the recesses 740 may have an openend 742 and a closed end 744, with a distance between the open end 742and the closed end 744 defining a depth of the recess 740. In someembodiments, as shown, each of the recesses 740 may have the same depth.In other embodiments, some of the recesses 740 may have a first depth,while other recesses 740 may have a second depth that is different fromthe first depth. The closed ends 744 of the recesses 740 may define athird diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by theclosed ends 744 may vary along the length of the body 732. For example,as shown, the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameterdefined by the closed ends 744 of recesses 740 positioned near or at theproximal end of the body 732 to a maximum diameter defined by the closedends 744 of recesses 740 positioned at an intermediate location alongthe length of the body 732 and may decrease from the maximum diameter atthe intermediate location to a minimum diameter defined by the closedends 744 of recesses 740 positioned near or at the distal end of thebody 732, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined bythe closed ends 744 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimumdiameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion712 of the shaft 710.

In some embodiments, each of the recesses 740 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical shape. Other shapes ofthe recesses 740 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments,all of the recesses 740 may have the same shape and the same size. Inother embodiments, some of the recesses 740 may have the same shape andthe same size, while other recesses 740 may have a different shapeand/or a different size.

As shown, the plurality of recesses 740 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 750 of the recesses 740 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality of recesses740 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays 750 positionedin series. Although twenty-three (23) circumferential arrays 750 areprovided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferentialarrays 750 positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, each of the circumferential arrays 750 may includefour (4) or more recesses 740 positioned in an array. Although fourteen(14) recesses 740 are provided for each of the circumferential arrays750 in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more recesses 740 for eachof the circumferential arrays 750 may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, as shown, for each of the circumferential arrays 750,the respective open ends 742 of the recesses 740 of the circumferentialarray 750 may be equally spaced apart from one another in thecircumferential direction around the longitudinal axis A_(L). In someembodiments, for each of the circumferential arrays 750, the respectiveopen ends 742 of the recesses 740 of the circumferential array 750 maybe spaced apart from one another at unequal distances in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of thecircumferential arrays 750, the respective open ends 742 of the recesses740 of the circumferential array 750 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferentialdirection.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 750 may include a firstcircumferential array 750 a, a second circumferential array 750 b, athird circumferential array 750 c, and a fourth circumferential array750 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective recesses 740 of each consecutive pairof circumferential arrays 750 may be aligned with one another in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, the respective recesses740 of each of the circumferential arrays 750 may be aligned with oneanother in the circumferential direction. For example, as shown, therecesses 740 of the first circumferential array 750 a may be aligned inthe circumferential direction with the recesses 740 of the secondcircumferential array 750 b, the recesses 740 of the thirdcircumferential array 750 c, and the recesses 740 of the fourthcircumferential array 750 d.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 750 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 750 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the circumferential arrays 750 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Various configurations of the series of circumferentialarrays 750 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 730 also may include a tip 760. Asshown, the tip 760 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 730 and may define the distal end 704 of the swab 700. The tip760 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 730 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab700. The shape of the tip 760 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 760 may have a flat surface positioned at the distal endof the tip 760. Other shapes for the tip 760 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 760 may be devoid ofany recesses 740. In some embodiments, one or more of the recesses 740may be defined in a portion of the tip 760.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 700 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 7A-7C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 700 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 800(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 800 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 described above will be appreciated fromthe drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition.Corresponding reference numbers are used for corresponding features,which generally may be configured in a manner similar to the featuresdescribed above unless indicated otherwise. As described below, certaindifferences between the swab 800 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500,600, 700 relate to the tip portion having annular ribs instead ofprotrusions or recesses. The swab 800 is configured for collectingbiological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, fordiagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 800 may be configuredfor use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject'snostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosafor evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurationsof and uses for the swab 800 may be envisioned by those of ordinaryskill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sitesof a subject to reach different target locations and collect samplestherefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 800 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 802 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 804 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 800. In some embodiments, the swab 800, or at least a portion ofthe swab 800, may be flexible such that the swab 800 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 800 may include a shaft 810 and a tip portion 830 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 810. During use, the shaft 810 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 830 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 830 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 810 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab800. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 810 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 830 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 810 may extend from the proximal end 802 toward thedistal end 804 of the swab 800, and the tip portion 830 may extend fromthe distal end 804 toward the proximal end 802 of the swab 800. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 810 and the tip portion 830 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 810 and/or the tip portion 830 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 810 and the tipportion 830 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 810, or at least a portion of the shaft 810, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 830, or at least a portion of thetip portion 830, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 810 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 810 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 810may include a proximal portion 812 having a first diameter, a distalportion 814 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 816 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 818 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 812, the distal portion 814, the intermediate portion 816, andthe separation portion 818 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 810. As described above, theseparation portion 818 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 812 from the intermediate portion 816. In someembodiments, the shaft 810 also may include a flange 820 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 812.

As shown, the tip portion 830 may include a body 832 and a series ofannular ribs 840. The body 832 may extend outward from the shaft 810 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 840 may extend outward from the body 832 and may bepositioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, thebody 832 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 832 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 832 may varyalong the length of the body 832. For example, as shown, the diameter ofthe body 832 may increase from a minimum diameter at or near theproximal end of the body 832 to a maximum diameter at an intermediatelocation along the length of the body 832 and may decrease from themaximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameter ator near the distal end of the body 832, although other arrangements of avarying diameter of the body 832 may be used. In some embodiments, anouter profile of the body 832 (as viewed from a plane parallel to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG. 8B) may have a curvedshape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body 832may be constant along the length of the body 832. In some embodiments, amaximum diameter of the body 832 may be greater than the first diameterof the proximal portion 812 of the shaft 810.

The annular ribs 840 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of theannular ribs 840 may extend around the entire circumference of the body832 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 840 may have a proximal end 842 and a distal end 844positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, as shown, the proximal end 842 may be defined by aproximal surface of the annular rib 840 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), and the distal end 844 may be defined by adistal surface of the annular rib 840 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the annular ribs 840 may include anouter surface 846 (which also may be referred to as an “outercircumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 842 to thedistal end 844 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib840. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 846 (asviewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 8B) may have a curved shape, although a linear,tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, all of the annular ribs 840 may have the same shapeand different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 840may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 840may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 840 may have a height defined as a distancebetween the outer surface 846 of the annular rib 840 and the respectiveportion of the body 832 from which the annular rib 840 radially extends.In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 840 mayhave a height that is constant along the length of the annular rib 840.In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 840 mayhave a height that varies along the length of the annular rib 840. Theouter surfaces 846 of the annular ribs 840 may define a third diameter.In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces846 may vary along the length of the body 832. For example, as shown,the third diameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by theouter surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840 positioned near or atthe proximal end of the body 832 to a maximum diameter defined by theouter surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840 positioned at anintermediate location along the length of the body 832 and may decreasefrom the maximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimumdiameter defined by the outer surface 846 of one of the annular ribs 840positioned near or at the distal end of the body 832, although otherarrangements of a varying diameter defined by the outer surfaces 846 maybe used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater thanthe first diameter of the proximal portion 812 of the shaft 810.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 840 may include four (4)or more annular ribs 840 positioned in series along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Although eight (8) annular ribs 840 are provided in theillustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 840 positioned inseries may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown,the annular ribs 840 may be positioned equally spaced apart from oneanother along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In this manner, an annulargroove 850 may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annularribs 840. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 840 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L).In some embodiments, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs840 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart fromone another) along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Various configurationsof the series of annular ribs 840 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 830 also may include a tip 860. Asshown, the tip 860 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 830 and may define the distal end 804 of the swab 800. The tip860 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 830 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab800. The shape of the tip 860 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 860 may have a frustoconical shape, although other shapesfor the tip 860 may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments,as shown, the tip 860 may be devoid of any annular ribs 840. In someembodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 840 may extend from aportion of the tip 860.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 800 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 8A-8C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 800 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 900(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 900 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 described above will be appreciatedfrom the drawings and may not be repeated to avoid unnecessaryrepetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used for correspondingfeatures, which generally may be configured in a manner similar to thefeatures described above unless indicated otherwise. As described below,certain differences between the swab 900 and the swab 800 relate to ashape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the annular ribs of thetip portion, and an arrangement of the annular ribs along the body. Theswab 900 is configured for collecting biological samples from a subject,such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments,the swab 900 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to beadvanced through a subject's nostril to collect a sample from thesurface of the respiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viralinfection. Various other configurations of and uses for the swab 900 maybe envisioned by those of ordinary skill in the art for accommodatinginsertion into other anatomical sites of a subject to reach differenttarget locations and collect samples therefrom for different diagnostictests.

As shown, the swab 900 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 902 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 904 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 900. In some embodiments, the swab 900, or at least a portion ofthe swab 900, may be flexible such that the swab 900 may be elasticallydeformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to return to itsoriginal, linear shape.

The swab 900 may include a shaft 910 and a tip portion 930 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 910. During use, the shaft 910 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 930 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 930 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 910 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab900. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 910 may be coaxialwith the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axis of thetip portion 930 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Asshown, the shaft 910 may extend from the proximal end 902 toward thedistal end 904 of the swab 900, and the tip portion 930 may extend fromthe distal end 904 toward the proximal end 902 of the swab 900. In someembodiments, as shown, the shaft 910 and the tip portion 930 may besymmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), although asymmetricconfigurations of the shaft 910 and/or the tip portion 930 may be usedin other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 910 and the tipportion 930 may be formed of the same material. In some embodiments, theshaft 910, or at least a portion of the shaft 910, may be formed of afirst material, and the tip portion 930, or at least a portion of thetip portion 930, may be formed of a second material that is differentfrom the first material.

As shown, the shaft 910 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 910 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 910may include a proximal portion 912 having a first diameter, a distalportion 914 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 916 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 918 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 912, the distal portion 914, the intermediate portion 916, andthe separation portion 918 may be constant or may vary along the lengthof the respective portion of the shaft 910. As described above, theseparation portion 918 may be configured to facilitate separation of theproximal portion 912 from the intermediate portion 916. In someembodiments, the shaft 910 also may include a flange 920 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 912.

As shown, the tip portion 930 may include a body 932 and a series ofannular ribs 940. The body 932 may extend outward from the shaft 910 andmay be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 940 may extend outward from the body 932 and may bepositioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, thebody 932 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 932 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, the body 932 may include two or moreportions having different diameters. For example, as shown, the body 932may include a proximal portion 934 and a distal portion 936, with thedistal portion 936 having a greater diameter than the proximal portion934. In some embodiments, the diameter of the distal portion 936 mayvary along the length of the distal portion 936. For example, as shown,the diameter of the distal portion 936 may increase from a minimumdiameter at or near the proximal end of the distal portion 936 to amaximum diameter at an intermediate location along the length of thedistal portion 936 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at theintermediate location to a minimum diameter at or near the distal end ofthe distal portion 936, although other arrangements of a varyingdiameter of the distal portion 936 may be used. In some embodiments, anouter profile of the distal portion 936 (as viewed from a plane parallelto the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG. 9B) may have acurved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outer profile maybe used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the diameter of theproximal portion 934 may vary along the length of the proximal portion934. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of the proximal portion 934may be equal to the first diameter of the proximal portion 912 of theshaft 910, and the maximum diameter of the distal portion 936 may begreater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 912.

The annular ribs 940 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of theannular ribs 940 may extend around the entire circumference of the body932 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 940 may have a proximal end 942 and a distal end 944positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the proximal end 942 may be defined by a proximalsurface of the annular rib 940 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), and the distal end 944 may be defined by adistal surface of the annular rib 940 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the annular ribs 940 may include one ormore outer surfaces 946 (which also may be referred to as an “outercircumferential surface”) that extend(s) from the proximal end 942 tothe distal end 944 and define(s) a radially-outer extent of the annularrib 940. As shown, for example, each of the annular ribs 940 may includea proximal outer surface 946 a (which also may be referred to as a“first outer surface”) and a distal outer surface 946 b (which also maybe referred to as a “second outer surface”). In some embodiments, anouter profile of the proximal outer surface 946 a (as viewed from aplane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG.9B) may have a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of theouter profile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, anouter profile of the distal outer surface 946 b (as viewed from a planeparallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG. 9B) mayhave a curved shape, although a linear, tapered shape of the outerprofile may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, all ofthe annular ribs 940 may have the same shape and different sizes. Inother embodiments, some of the annular ribs 940 may have the same shapeand the same size, while other annular ribs 940 may have a differentshape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 940 may have a first height defined as adistance between the proximal outer surface 946 a of the annular rib 940and the respective portion of the body 932 from which the annular rib940 radially extends, and a second height defined as a distance betweenthe distal outer surface 946 b of the annular rib 940 and the respectiveportion of the body 932 from which the annular rib 940 radially extends.In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of the annular ribs 940 mayhave a first height and/or a second height that is constant along thelength of the annular rib 940. In some embodiments, one or more, or all,of the annular ribs 940 may have a first height and/or a second heightthat varies along the length of the annular rib 940. The outer surfaces946 of the annular ribs 940 may define a third diameter. In someembodiments, the third diameter defined by the outer surfaces 946 mayvary along the length of the body 932. For example, as shown, the thirddiameter may increase from a minimum diameter defined by the outersurface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940 positioned near or at theproximal end of the body 932 to a maximum diameter defined by the outersurface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940 positioned at an intermediatelocation along the length of the body 932 and may decrease from themaximum diameter at the intermediate location to a minimum diameterdefined by the outer surface 946 of one of the annular ribs 940positioned near or at the distal end of the body 932, although otherarrangements of a varying diameter defined by the outer surfaces 946 maybe used. In some embodiments, the minimum diameter may be greater thanthe first diameter of the proximal portion 912 of the shaft 910.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 940 may include four (4)or more annular ribs 940 positioned in series along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Although seven (7) annular ribs 940 are provided in theillustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 940 positioned inseries may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown,respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs 940 may be positionedadjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the annular ribs 940 maybe positioned equally spaced apart from one another along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In this manner, an annular groove may bedefined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs 940. In someembodiments, the annular ribs 940 may be spaced apart from one anotherat unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Variousconfigurations of the series of annular ribs 940 may be used indifferent embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 930 also may include a tip 960. Asshown, the tip 960 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 930 and may define the distal end 904 of the swab 900. The tip960 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guide thetip portion 930 to a target location of a subject during use of the swab900. The shape of the tip 960 may be configured for atraumaticallycontacting anatomical features of the subject. In some embodiments, asshown, the tip 960 may have a rounded or curved shape, although othershapes for the tip 960 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 960 may be devoid of any annular ribs940. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 940 may extendfrom a portion of the tip 960.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 900 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 9A-9C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 900 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1000(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1000 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 described above will beappreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoidunnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used forcorresponding features, which generally may be configured in a mannersimilar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. Asdescribed below, certain differences between the swab 1000 and the swab800 relate to a shape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of theannular ribs of the tip portion, and an arrangement of the annular ribsalong the body. The swab 1000 is configured for collecting biologicalsamples from a subject, such as a human subject, for diagnostic testing.In some embodiments, the swab 1000 may be configured for use as anasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject's nostril tocollect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosa forevaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurations ofand uses for the swab 1000 may be envisioned by those of ordinary skillin the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sites of asubject to reach different target locations and collect samplestherefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1000 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 1002 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 1004 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 1000. In some embodiments, the swab 1000, or at least a portion ofthe swab 1000, may be flexible such that the swab 1000 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The swab 1000 may include a shaft 1010 and a tip portion 1030 that isintegrally, formed with the shaft 1010. During use, the shaft 1010 maybe grasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1030 toa target location. As described below, the tip portion 1030 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 1010 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab1000. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1010 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axisof the tip portion 1030 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L).As shown, the shaft 1010 may extend from the proximal end 1002 towardthe distal end 1004 of the swab 1000, and the tip portion 1030 mayextend from the distal end 1004 toward the proximal end 1002 of the swab1000. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1010 and the tip portion1030 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), althoughasymmetric configurations of the shaft 1010 and/or the tip portion 1030may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1010and the tip portion 1030 may be formed of the same material. In someembodiments, the shaft 1010, or at least a portion of the shaft 1010,may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1030, or at leasta portion of the tip portion 1030, may be formed of a second materialthat is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1010 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1010 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1010may include a proximal portion 1012 having a first diameter, a distalportion 1014 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 1016 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 1018 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 1012, the distal portion 1014, the intermediate portion 1016,and the separation portion 1018 may be constant or may vary along thelength of the respective portion of the shaft 1010. As described above,the separation portion 1018 may be configured to facilitate separationof the proximal portion 1012 from the intermediate portion 1016. In someembodiments, the shaft 1010 also may include a flange 1020 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 1012.

As shown, the tip portion 1030 may include a body 1032 and a series ofannular ribs 1040. The body 1032 may extend outward from the shaft 1010and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Eachof the annular ribs 1040 may extend outward from the body 1032 and maybe positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, thebody 1032 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 1032 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body1032 may be constant along the length of the body 1032. In this manner,the body 1032 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (asviewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 10B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 1032 may vary along the length of the body 1032,with an outer profile of the body 1032 having a curved shape or alinear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of thebody 1032 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion1012 of the shaft 1010.

The annular ribs 1040 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of theannular ribs 1040 may extend around the entire circumference of the body1032 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 1040 may have a proximal end 1042 and a distal end 1044positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the proximal end 1042 may be defined by a proximalsurface of the annular rib 1040 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), and the distal end 1044 may be defined by adistal surface of the annular rib 1040 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the annular ribs 1040 may include anouter surface 1046 (which also may be referred to as an “outercircumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1042 to thedistal end 1044 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib1040. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1046(as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 10B) may have a curved shape, although a linear,tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1040 may have the same shapeand different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1040may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1040may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1040 may have a height defined as a distancebetween the outer surface 1046 of the annular rib 1040 and therespective portion of the body 1032 from which the annular rib 1040radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1040 may have a height that varies along the length of theannular rib 1040. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1040 may have a height that is constant along the length ofthe annular rib 1040. The outer surfaces 1046 of the annular ribs 1040may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameterdefined by the outer surfaces 1046 may vary along the length of the body1032. For example, as shown, the third diameter may increase from aminimum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of one of the annularribs 1040 positioned near or at the proximal end of the body 1032 to amaximum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of one of the annularribs 1040 positioned at an intermediate location along the length of thebody 1032 and may decrease from the maximum diameter at the intermediatelocation to a minimum diameter defined by the outer surface 1046 of oneof the annular ribs 1040 positioned near or at the distal end of thebody 1032, although other arrangements of a varying diameter defined bythe outer surfaces 1046 may be used. In some embodiments, the minimumdiameter may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion1012 of the shaft 1010.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1040 may include four(4) or more annular ribs 1040 positioned in series along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Although twelve (12) annular ribs 1040 areprovided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1040positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs1040 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart fromone another) along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, theannular ribs 1040 may be positioned equally spaced apart from oneanother along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In this manner, an annulargroove may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs1040. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1040 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L).Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1040 may be used indifferent embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1030 also may include a tip 1060.As shown, the tip 1060 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 1030 and may define the distal end 1004 of the swab 1000. Thetip 1060 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guidethe tip portion 1030 to a target location of a subject during use of theswab 1000. The shape of the tip 1060 may be configured foratraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 1060 may have a frustoconical shape,although other shapes for the tip 1060 may be used in other embodiments.In some embodiments, as shown, the tip 1060 may be devoid of any annularribs 1040. In some embodiments, one or more of the annular ribs 1040 mayextend from a portion of the tip 1060.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1000 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 10A-10C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1000 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1100(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1100 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 described above will beappreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoidunnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used forcorresponding features, which generally may be configured in a mannersimilar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. Asdescribed below, certain differences between the swab 1100 and the swab1000 relate to a shape and relative size of the annular ribs of the tipportion, and a shape of the tip of the tip portion. The swab 1100 isconfigured for collecting biological samples from a subject, such as ahuman subject, for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab1100 may be configured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advancedthrough a subject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of therespiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Variousother configurations of and uses for the swab 1100 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1100 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 1102 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 1104 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 1100. In some embodiments, the swab 1100, or at least a portion ofthe swab 1100, may be flexible such that the swab 1100 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The swab 1100 may include a shaft 1110 and a tip portion 1130 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 1110. During use, the shaft 1110 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1130 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 1130 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 1110 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab1100. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1110 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axisof the tip portion 1130 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L).As shown, the shaft 1110 may extend from the proximal end 1102 towardthe distal end 1104 of the swab 1100, and the tip portion 1130 mayextend from the distal end 1104 toward the proximal end 1102 of the swab1100. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1110 and the tip portion1130 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), althoughasymmetric configurations of the shaft 1110 and/or the tip portion 1130may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1110and the tip portion 1130 may be formed of the same material. In someembodiments, the shaft 1110, or at least a portion of the shaft 1110,may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1130, or at leasta portion of the tip portion 1130, may be formed of a second materialthat is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1110 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1110 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1110may include a proximal portion 1112 having a first diameter, a distalportion 1114 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 1116 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 1118 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 1112, the distal portion 1114, the intermediate portion 1116,and the separation portion 1118 may be constant or may vary along thelength of the respective portion of the shaft 1110. As described above,the separation portion 1118 may be configured to facilitate separationof the proximal portion 1112 from the intermediate portion 1116. In someembodiments, the shaft 1110 also may include a flange 1120 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 1112.

As shown, the tip portion 1130 may include a body 1132 and a series ofannular ribs 1140. The body 1132 may extend outward from the shaft 1110and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Eachof the annular ribs 1140 may extend outward from the body 1132 and maybe positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, thebody 1132 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 1132 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body1132 may be constant along the length of the body 1132. In this manner,the body 1132 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (asviewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 11B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 1132 may vary along the length of the body 1132,with an outer profile of the body 1132 having a curved shape or alinear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of thebody 1132 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion1112 of the shaft 1110.

The annular ribs 1140 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of theannular ribs 1140 may extend around the entire circumference of the body1132 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 1140 may have a proximal end 1142 and a distal end 1144positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the proximal end 1142 may be defined by a proximalsurface of the annular rib 1140 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), and the distal end 1144 may be defined by adistal surface of the annular rib 1140 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the annular ribs 1140 may include anouter surface 1146 (which also may be referred to as an “outercircumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1142 to thedistal end 1144 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib1140. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1146(as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 11B) may have a curved shape, although a linear,tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1140 may have the same shapeand different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1140may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1140may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1140 may have a height defined as a distancebetween the outer surface 1146 of the annular rib 1140 and therespective portion of the body 1132 from which the annular rib 1140radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1140 may have a height that varies along the length of theannular rib 1140. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1140 may have a height that is constant along the length ofthe annular rib 1140. The outer surfaces 1146 of the annular ribs 1140may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameterdefined by the outer surfaces 1146 may vary along the length of the body1132. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outersurfaces 1146 may be constant along the length of the body 1132. In someembodiments, a minimum diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1146 maybe greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1112 of theshaft 1110.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1140 may include four(4) or more annular ribs 1140 positioned in series along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Although nineteen (19) annular ribs 1140 areprovided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1140positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, respective consecutive pairs of the annular ribs1140 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e., not spaced apart fromone another) along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, theannular ribs 1140 may be positioned equally spaced apart from oneanother along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In this manner, an annulargroove may be defined between each consecutive pair of the annular ribs1140. In some embodiments, the annular ribs 1140 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances along the longitudinal axis A_(L).Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1140 may be used indifferent embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1130 also may include a tip 1160.As shown, the tip 1160 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 1130 and may define the distal end 1104 of the swab 1100. Thetip 1160 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guidethe tip portion 1130 to a target location of a subject during use of theswab 1100. The shape of the tip 1160 may be configured foratraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 1160 may have a partial-spherical shape,such as a hemispherical shape, although other shapes for the tip 1160may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the tip1160 may be devoid of any annular ribs 1140. In some embodiments, one ormore of the annular ribs 1140 may extend from a portion of the tip 1160.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1100 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 11A-11C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1100 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1200(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1200 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100 described above willbe appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoidunnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used forcorresponding features, which generally may be configured in a mannersimilar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. Asdescribed below, certain differences between the swab 1200 and the swab1100 relate to a shape of the annular ribs of the tip portion, and anarrangement of the annular ribs. The swab 1200 is configured forcollecting biological samples from a subject, such as a human subject,for diagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1200 may beconfigured for use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through asubject's nostril to collect a sample from the surface of therespiratory mucosa for evaluating a suspected viral infection. Variousother configurations of and uses for the swab 1200 may be envisioned bythose of ordinary skill in the art for accommodating insertion intoother anatomical sites of a subject to reach different target locationsand collect samples therefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1200 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 1202 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 1204 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L), of theswab 1200. In some embodiments, the swab 1200, or at least a portion ofthe swab 1200, may be flexible such that the swab 1200 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The swab 1200 may include a shaft 1210 and a tip portion 1230 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 1210. During use, the shaft 1210 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1230 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 1230 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 1210 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab1200. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1210 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axisof the tip portion 1230 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L).As shown, the shaft 1210 may extend from the proximal end 1202 towardthe distal end 1204 of the swab 1200, and the tip portion 1230 mayextend from the distal end 1204 toward the proximal end 1202 of the swab1200. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1210 and the tip portion1230 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), althoughasymmetric configurations of the shaft 1210 and/or the tip portion 1230may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1210and the tip portion 1230 may be formed of the same material. In someembodiments, the shaft 1210, or at least a portion of the shaft 1210,may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1230, or at leasta portion of the tip portion 1230, may be formed of a second materialthat is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1210 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1210 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1210may include a proximal portion 1212 having a first diameter, a distalportion 1214 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 1216 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 1218 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 1212, the distal portion 1214, the intermediate portion 1216,and the separation portion 1218 may be constant or may vary along thelength of the respective portion of the shaft 1210. As described above,the separation portion 1218 may be configured to facilitate separationof the proximal portion 1212 from the intermediate portion 1216. In someembodiments, the shaft 1210 also may include a flange 1220 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 1212.

As shown, the tip portion 1230 may include a body 1232 and a series ofannular ribs 1240. The body 1232 may extend outward from the shaft 1210and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Eachof the annular ribs 1240 may extend outward from the body 1232 and maybe positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, thebody 1232 may have an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the body 1232 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the diameter of the body1232 may be constant along the length of the body 1232. In this manner,the body 1232 may have a cylindrical shape and an outer profile (asviewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 12B) having a linear shape. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 1232 may vary along the length of the body 1232,with an outer profile of the body 1232 having a curved shape or alinear, tapered shape. In some embodiments, a maximum diameter of thebody 1232 may be greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion1212 of the shaft 1210.

The annular ribs 1240 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon and/or therebetween. As shown, each of theannular ribs 1240 may extend around the entire circumference of the body1232 and radially with respect to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each ofthe annular ribs 1240 may have a proximal end 1242 and a distal end 1244positioned opposite one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, as shown, the proximal end 1242 may be defined by aproximal surface of the annular rib 1240 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L), and the distal end 1244 may be defined by adistal surface of the annular rib 1240 extending perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Each of the annular ribs 1240 may include anouter surface 1246 (which also may be referred to as an “outercircumferential surface”) that extends from the proximal end 1242 to thedistal end 1244 and defines a radially-outer extent of the annular rib1240. In some embodiments, an outer profile of the outer surface 1246(as viewed from a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), forexample, as in FIG. 12B) may have a linear shape extending parallel tothe longitudinal axis A_(L), although a curved shape or a linear,tapered shape of the outer profile may be used in other embodiments. Insome embodiments, all of the annular ribs 1240 may have the same shapeand different sizes. In other embodiments, some of the annular ribs 1240may have the same shape and the same size, while other annular ribs 1240may have a different shape and/or a different size.

Each of the annular ribs 1240 may have a height defined as a distancebetween the outer surface 1246 of the annular rib 1240 and therespective portion of the body 1232 from which the annular rib 1240radially extends. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1240 may have a height that varies along the length of theannular rib 1240. In some embodiments, one or more, or all, of theannular ribs 1240 may have a height that is constant along the length ofthe annular rib 1240. The outer surfaces 1246 of the annular ribs 1240may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, the third diameterdefined by the outer surfaces 1246 may vary along the length of the body1232. In some embodiments, the third diameter defined by the outersurfaces 1246 may be constant along the length of the body 1232. In someembodiments, a minimum diameter defined by the outer surfaces 1246 maybe greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1212 of theshaft 1210.

In some embodiments, the series of annular ribs 1240 may include four(4) or more annular ribs 1240 positioned in series along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). Although nineteen (19) annular ribs 1240 areprovided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more annular ribs 1240positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the annular ribs 1240 may be positioned equallyspaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis A_(L). In thismanner, an annular groove 1250 may be defined between each consecutivepair of the annular ribs 1240. In some embodiments, the annular ribs1240 may be spaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the annular ribs 1240 may be positioned adjacent one another(i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinal axisA_(L). Various configurations of the series of annular ribs 1240 may beused in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1230 also may include a tip 1260.As shown, the tip 1260 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 1230 and may define the distal end 1204 of the swab 1200. Thetip 1260 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guidethe tip portion 1230 to a target location of a subject during use of theswab 1200. The shape of the tip 1260 may be configured foratraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 1260 may have a partial-spherical shape,although other shapes for the tip 1260 may be used in other embodiments.In some embodiments, as shown, one or more of the annular ribs 1240 mayextend from a portion of the tip 1260. In some embodiments, the tip 1260may be devoid of any annular ribs 1240.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1200 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 12A-12C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1200 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1300(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1300 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 described abovewill be appreciated from the drawings and may not be repeated to avoidunnecessary repetition. Corresponding reference numbers are used forcorresponding features, which generally may be configured in a mannersimilar to the features described above unless indicated otherwise. Asdescribed below, certain differences between the swab 1300 and the swabs100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 relate tothe tip portion including a plurality of rings instead of protrusions,recesses, or annular ribs. The swab 1300 is configured for collectingbiological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, fordiagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1300 may be configuredfor use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject'snostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosafor evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurationsof and uses for the swab 1300 may be envisioned by those of ordinaryskill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sitesof a subject to reach different target locations and collect samplestherefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1300 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 1302 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 1304 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L) of theswab 1300. In some embodiments, the swab 1300, or at least a portion ofthe swab 1300, may be flexible such that the swab 1300 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The swab 1300 may include a shaft 1310 and a tip portion 1330 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 1310. During use, the shaft 1310 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1330 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 1330 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 1310 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab1300. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1310 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axisof the tip portion 1330 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L).As shown, the shaft 1310 may extend from the proximal end 1302 towardthe distal end 1304 of the swab 1300, and the tip portion 1330 mayextend from the distal end 1304 toward the proximal end 1302 of the swab1300. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1310 and the tip portion1330 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), althoughasymmetric configurations of the shaft 1310 and/or the tip portion 1330may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1310and the tip portion 1330 may be formed of the same material. In someembodiments, the shaft 1310, or at least a portion of the shaft 1310,may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1330, or at leasta portion of the tip portion 1330, may be formed of a second materialthat is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1310 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1310 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1310may include a proximal portion 1312 having a first diameter, a distalportion 1314 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 1316 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 1318 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 1312, the distal portion 1314, the intermediate portion 1316,and the separation portion 1318 may be constant or may vary along thelength of the respective portion of the shaft 1310. As described above,the separation portion 1318 may be configured to facilitate separationof the proximal portion 1312 from the intermediate portion 1316. In someembodiments, the shaft 1310 also may include a flange 1320 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 1312.

As shown, the tip portion 1330 may include a lattice body 1332 (whichalso may be referred to as simply a “body”) and a plurality of openings1342, 1344 (which also may be referred to as “through-holes”) defined inthe body 1332. The lattice body 1332 may be positioned coaxially withthe longitudinal axis A_(L). As shown, the lattice body 1332 may extendaround the longitudinal axis A_(L) and may define an open interior spacewithin the body 1332. The lattice body 1332 may include a plurality ofrings 1340 that are arranged to form a lattice structure of the body1332. Each of the rings 1340 may define one of the openings 1342therethrough, while the openings 1344 may be defined by a plurality ofadjacent rings 1340. As shown, each of the openings 1342, 1344 mayextend inward toward the longitudinal axis A_(L), from an outer surfaceto an inner surface of the lattice body 1332. In this manner, each ofthe openings 1342, 1344 may be in communication with the interior spaceof the lattice body 1332. As shown, the body 1332 may have an elongatedshape with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, although othershapes of the body 1332 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, the body 1332 may include two or more portions havingdifferent diameters. As shown, the body 1332 may include a proximalportion 1334, a distal portion 1336, and an intermediate portion 1338.In some embodiments, the diameter of the proximal portion 1334 may varyalong the length of the proximal portion 1334, the diameter of thedistal portion 1336 may vary along the length of the distal portion1336, and the diameter of the intermediate portion 1338 may be constantalong the length of the intermediate portion 1338. As shown, thediameter of the proximal portion 1334 may increase from a minimumdiameter at the proximal end of the proximal portion 1334 to a maximumdiameter at the distal end of the proximal portion 1334, and thediameter of the distal portion 1336 may decrease from a maximum diameterat the proximal end of the distal portion 1336 to a minimum diameter atthe distal end of the distal portion 1336, although other arrangementsof a varying diameter of the proximal portion 1334 and the distalportion 1336 may be used. In some embodiments, outer profiles of theproximal portion 1334 and the distal portion 1336 (as viewed from aplane parallel to the longitudinal axis A_(L), for example, as in FIG.13B) may have a generally curved shape, although a linear, tapered shapeof the outer profiles may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, a maximum diameter of the lattice body 1332 maybe greater than the first diameter of the proximal portion 1312.

The rings 1340 and the openings 1342, 1344 of the lattice body 1332 maybe configured to facilitate collection of a biological sample on and/orin the body 1332. In some embodiments, the lattice body 1332 may includetwo or more rings 1340 having different sizes. For example, as shown,the proximal portion 1334 may include a plurality of rings 1340 having afirst size, the distal portion 1336 may include a plurality of rings1340 having the first size, and the intermediate portion 1338 mayinclude a plurality of rings 1340 having a second size that is largerthan the first size. Other variations in size of the rings 1340 may beused in other embodiments. Likewise, the respective sizes of theopenings 1342 and the openings 1344 may vary in some embodiments. Insome embodiments, as shown each of the rings 1340 may have a circularshape and a circular cross-sectional shape (as viewed from a plane thatincludes and extends radially from the longitudinal axis A_(L)),although other shapes and cross-sectional shapes, such as square,rectangular, diamond, hexagonal, octagonal, or rhomboid shapes and/orcross-sectional shapes, may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, each of the openings 1342 may have a circular shape,although other shapes resulting from the corresponding shape of therings 1340 may be used in other embodiments. Various shapes of theopenings 1344 also may be used, as may result from the arrangement ofadjacent rings 1340 and the shapes of the rings 1340.

As shown, the plurality of rings 1340 may include a series ofcircumferential bands 1350 of the rings 1340 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the intermediate portion1338 may include four (4) or more circumferential bands 1350 positionedin series. Although six (6) circumferential bands 1350 are provided inthe illustrated embodiment, fewer or more circumferential bands 1350positioned in series may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, each of the circumferential bands 1350 may include four (4)or more rings 1340 positioned in an array. According to the illustratedembodiment, each of the circumferential bands 1350 of the intermediateportion 1338 may include seven (7) rings 1340, although fewer or morerings 1340 for each of the circumferential bands 1350 may be used inother embodiments. In some embodiments, some of the circumferentialbands 1350 each may include a first number of the rings 1340, whileother circumferential bands 1350 each may include a different, secondnumber of the rings 1340. In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential bands 1350, adjacent pairs of the rings 1340 may overlapor intersect one another in the circumferential direction around thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, as shown, for each of thecircumferential bands 1350, adjacent pairs of the rings 1340 may abutone another in the circumferential direction. As shown, the arrangementof the circumferential bands 1350 of the rings 1340 may result incircumferential arrays of the openings 1342 and circumferential arraysof the openings 1344.

As shown, the series of circumferential bands 1350 may include a firstcircumferential band 1350 a, a second circumferential band 1350 b, athird circumferential band 1350 c, and a fourth circumferential band1350 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective rings 1340 and openings 1342 of eachconsecutive pair of circumferential bands 1350 may be aligned with oneanother in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, therespective rings 1340 and openings 1342 of all of the circumferentialbands 1350 may be aligned with one another in the circumferentialdirection. For example, as shown, the rings 1340 of the firstcircumferential band 1350 a may be aligned in the circumferentialdirection with the rings 1340 of the second circumferential band 1350 b,the rings 1340 of the third circumferential band 1350 c, and the rings1340 of the fourth circumferential band 1350 d. Likewise, the openings1342 of the first circumferential band 1350 a may be aligned in thecircumferential direction with the openings 1342 of the secondcircumferential band 1350 b, the openings 1342 of the thirdcircumferential band 1350 c, and the openings 1342 of the fourthcircumferential band 1350 d.

In some embodiments, as shown, consecutive pairs of the circumferentialbands 1350 may overlap or intersect one another in the longitudinaldirection. In some embodiments, consecutive pairs of the circumferentialbands 1350 may abut one another in the longitudinal direction. In someembodiments, consecutive pairs of the circumferential bands 1350 may bespaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction butconnected to one another by one or more connecting members extendingtherebetween. Various configurations of the series of circumferentialbands 1350 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1330 also may include a tip 1360.As shown, the tip 1360 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 1330 and may define the distal end 1304 of the swab 1300. Thetip 1360 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guidethe tip portion 1330 to a target location of a subject during use of theswab 1300. The shape of the tip 1360 may be configured foratraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 1360 may be formed as a ring-shapedmember, similar to the rings 1340. Other shapes and configurations forthe tip 1360 may be used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1300 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 13A-13C. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1300 may be used in other embodiments.

FIGS. 14A and 14B depict additional examples of a shaft 1410 as may beused with any of the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900,1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 described above instead of the shafts 110, 210,310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 1210, 1310. As shown, theshaft 1410 may have a cylindrical shape and a circular cross-sectionalshape, although other shapes of the shaft 1410 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1410 may include aproximal portion 1412 having a first diameter, a distal portion 1414having a second diameter that is less than the first diameter, anintermediate portion 1416 having the first diameter, and a separationportion 1418 having the second diameter. In various embodiments, one ormore, or all, of the diameters of the proximal portion 1412, the distalportion 1414, the intermediate portion 1416, and the separation portion1418 may be constant or may vary along the length of the respectiveportion of the shaft 1410. As described above, the separation portion1418 may be configured to facilitate separation of the proximal portion1412 from the intermediate portion 1416. In some embodiments, the shaft1410 also may include a flange extending outward from the proximalportion 1412. In some embodiments, the respective features of the shaft1410 may have the relative dimensional relationships depicted in FIG.14A or FIG. 14B. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the shaft 1410 may be usedin other embodiments.

FIGS. 15A-15D depict another example three-dimensional printed swab 1500(which also may be referred to as a “3D-printed swab,” or simply a“swab”). Certain similarities between the swab 1500 and the swabs 100,200, 300, 400, 500 described above will be appreciated from the drawingsand may not be repeated to avoid unnecessary repetition. Correspondingreference numbers are used for corresponding features, which generallymay be configured in a manner similar to the features described aboveunless indicated otherwise. As described below, certain differencesbetween the swab 1500 and the swabs 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 relate to ashape of the body of the tip portion, a shape of the protrusions of thetip portion, and inclusion of a central channel, lateral ports, and anend port defined in the body. The swab 1500 is configured for collectingbiological samples from a subject, such as a human subject, fordiagnostic testing. In some embodiments, the swab 1500 may be configuredfor use as a nasopharyngeal swab to be advanced through a subject'snostril to collect a sample from the surface of the respiratory mucosafor evaluating a suspected viral infection. Various other configurationsof and uses for the swab 1500 may be envisioned by those of ordinaryskill in the art for accommodating insertion into other anatomical sitesof a subject to reach different target locations and collect samplestherefrom for different diagnostic tests.

As shown, the swab 1500 may have an elongated, linear shape with aproximal end 1502 (which also may be referred to as a “first end”) and adistal end 1504 (which also may be referred to as a “second end”)positioned opposite one another along a longitudinal axis A_(L), of theswab 1500. In some embodiments, the swab 1500, or at least a portion ofthe swab 1500, may be flexible such that the swab 1500 may beelastically deformed from its linear shape but has a tendency to returnto its original, linear shape.

The swab 1500 may include a shaft 1510 and a tip portion 1530 that isintegrally formed with the shaft 1510. During use, the shaft 1510 may begrasped and manipulated by a user to advance the tip portion 1530 to atarget location. As described below, the tip portion 1530 may beconfigured to facilitate collection of a biological sample thereon. Asshown, the shaft 1510 may define the longitudinal axis A_(L) of the swab1500. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the shaft 1510 may becoaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L). Similarly, a longitudinal axisof the tip portion 1530 may be coaxial with the longitudinal axis A_(L).As shown, the shaft 1510 may extend from the proximal end 1502 towardthe distal end 1504 of the swab 1500, and the tip portion 1530 mayextend from the distal end 1504 toward the proximal end 1502 of the swab1500. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1510 and the tip portion1530 may be symmetric about the longitudinal axis A_(L), althoughasymmetric configurations of the shaft 1510 and/or the tip portion 1530may be used in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the shaft 1510and the tip portion 1530 may be formed of the same material. In someembodiments, the shaft 1510, or at least a portion of the shaft 1510,may be formed of a first material, and the tip portion 1530, or at leasta portion of the tip portion 1530, may be formed of a second materialthat is different from the first material.

As shown, the shaft 1510 may have a cylindrical shape and a circularcross-sectional shape, although other shapes of the shaft 1510 may beused in other embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, the shaft 1510may include a proximal portion 1512 having a first diameter, a distalportion 1514 having a second diameter that is less than the firstdiameter, an intermediate portion 1516 having the first diameter, and aseparation portion 1518 having the second diameter. In variousembodiments, one or more, or all, of the diameters of the proximalportion 1512, the distal portion 1514, the intermediate portion 1516,and the separation portion 1518 may be constant or may vary along thelength of the respective portion of the shaft 1510. As described above,the separation portion 1518 may be configured to facilitate separationof the proximal portion 1512 from the intermediate portion 1516. In someembodiments, the shaft 1510 also may include a flange 1520 extendingoutward from the proximal portion 1512.

As shown, the tip portion 1530 may include a body 1532 and a pluralityof protrusions 1540. The body 1532 may extend outward from the shaft1510 and may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis A_(L).Each of the protrusions 1540 may extend outward from the body 1532 andtransverse to the longitudinal axis A_(L). The body 1532 may provide asupport structure for the protrusions 1540. As shown, the body 1532 mayhave an elongated shape with a circular cross-sectional shape, althoughother shapes of the body 1532 may be used in other embodiments. In someembodiments, as shown, the body 1532 may have a cylindrical shape with acircular cross-sectional shape having a constant diameter along thelength of the body 1532. In some embodiments, the diameter of the body1532 may vary along the length of the body 1532. In some embodiments, asshown, the diameter of the body 1532 may be equal to the first diameterof the proximal portion 1512 of the shaft 1510. In some embodiments, thediameter of the body 1532 may be greater than the first diameter of theproximal portion 1512.

As shown in FIG. 15D, the body 1532 may define a central channel 1534, aplurality of lateral ports 1536, and an end port 1538. The centralchannel 1534 may extend axially through at least a portion of the body1532, from the distal end 1504 toward the proximal end 1502 of the swab1500. In some embodiments, as shown, the central channel 1534 may extendthrough greater than half of the axial length of the body 1532. In someembodiments, the central channel 1534 may extend through the entireaxial length of the body 1532. As shown, each of the lateral ports 1536may extend from the outer circumferential surface of the body 1532 tothe central channel 1534, such that the lateral ports 1536 are in fluidcommunication with the central channel 1534. Each of the lateral ports1536 may extend transverse to the longitudinal axis A_(L). In someembodiments, as shown, each of the lateral ports 1536 may extendperpendicular to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Although four (4) lateralports 1536 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morelateral ports 1536 may be used in other embodiments. The lateral ports1536 may be arranged in two or more sets of the lateral ports 1536 atdifferent locations along the axial length of the body 1532. Althoughtwo (2) sets of the lateral ports 1536, with two (2) lateral ports 1536per set, are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or more setsof the lateral ports 1536 and/or more of the lateral ports 1536 per setmay be used in other embodiments. As shown, the end port 1538 may extendfrom the distal end 1504 to the central channel 1534, such that the endport 1538 is in fluid communication with the central channel 1534. Insome embodiments, as shown, the end port 1538 may be coaxial with thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, more than one (1) end port1538 may be provided. The central channel 1534, the lateral ports 1536,and the end port 1538 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample on and/or in the body 1532. For example, a biologicalsample may be collected within the central channel 1534, the lateralports 1536, and/or the end port 1538.

The protrusions 1540 may be configured to facilitate collection of abiological sample thereon. As shown, the protrusions 1540 may extendoutward from the body 1532. In some embodiments, as shown, each of theprotrusions 1540 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axisA_(L). In other words, each of the protrusions 1540 may extend in aradial direction relative to the longitudinal axis A_(L). Each of theprotrusions 1540 may have a base end 1542 and a free end 1544, with adistance between the base end 1542 and the free end 1544 defining aheight of the protrusion 1540 relative to the body 1532. In someembodiments, as shown, each of the protrusions 1540 may have the sameheight. In other embodiments, the protrusions 1540 may have varyingheights relative to the body 1532. The free ends 1544 of the protrusions1540 may define a third diameter. In some embodiments, as shown, thethird diameter defined by the free ends 1544 may be constant along thelength of the body 1532. In other embodiments, the third diameterdefined by the free ends 1544 may vary along the length of the body1532.

In some embodiments, each of the protrusions 1540 may include aprotrusion base 1546 and a protrusion tip 1548. The protrusion base 1546may extend from the base end 1542 to the protrusion tip 1548, and theprotrusion tip 1548 may extend from the protrusion base 1546 to the freeend 1544. In some embodiments, as shown, the protrusion base 1546 mayhave a cylindrical shape, and the protrusion tip 1548 may have apartial-spherical shape, such as a hemispherical same. Other shapes ofthe protrusion base 1546 and the protrusion tip 1548 may be used inother embodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, all of the protrusions1540 may, have the same shape.

As shown, the plurality of protrusions 1540 may include a series ofcircumferential arrays 1550 of the protrusions 1540 positioned along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, the plurality ofprotrusions 1:540 may include four (4) or more circumferential arrays1550 positioned in series. Although twenty-two (22) circumferentialarrays 1550 are provided in the illustrated embodiment, fewer or morecircumferential arrays 1550 positioned in series may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, each or at least a majority of thecircumferential arrays 1550 may include four (4) or more protrusions1540 positioned in an array. Although eight (8) protrusions 15540 areprovided for a majority of the circumferential arrays 1550 in theillustrated embodiment, fewer or more protrusions 1540 for each or amajority of the circumferential arrays 1550 may be used in otherembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown, for each or at least amajority of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective free ends1544 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may beequally spaced apart from one another in the circumferential directionaround the longitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, for each or atleast some of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective free ends1544 of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, as shown, for each orsome of the circumferential arrays 1550, the respective base ends 1542of consecutive pairs of the protrusions 1540 of the circumferentialarray 1550 may be equally spaced apart from one another in thecircumferential direction. In some embodiments, for each or some of thecircumferential arrays 1550, the respective base ends 1542 of theprotrusions 1540 of the circumferential array 1550 may be spaced apartfrom one another at unequal distances in the circumferential direction.In some embodiments, for each or some of the circumferential arrays1550, the respective base ends 1542 of the protrusions 1540 of thecircumferential array 1550 may be positioned adjacent one another (i.e.,not spaced apart from one another) in the circumferential direction. Insome embodiments, as shown, one or more of the lateral ports 1536 may bealigned with one or more of the circumferential arrays 1550 along theaxial length of the body 1532, such that those circumferential arrays1550 include fewer protrusions 1540 and/or such that the protrusions1540 of those circumferential arrays 1550 are unequally spaced apartfrom one another in the circumferential direction.

As shown, the series of circumferential arrays 1550 may include a firstcircumferential array 1550 a, a second circumferential array 1550 b, athird circumferential array 1550 c, and a fourth circumferential array1550 d positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis A_(L). Insome embodiments, the respective protrusions 1540 of each consecutivepair of circumferential arrays 1550 may be offset from one another inthe circumferential direction. For example, as shown, the protrusions1540 of the first circumferential array 1550 a may be offset from theprotrusions 1540 of the second circumferential array 1550 b in thecircumferential direction, the protrusions 1540 of the secondcircumferential array 1550 b may be offset from the protrusions 1540 ofthe third circumferential array 1550 c in the circumferential direction,and the protrusions 1540 of the third circumferential array 1550 c maybe offset from the protrusions 1540 of the fourth circumferential array1550 d in the circumferential direction. In some embodiments, therespective protrusions 1540 of each pair of circumferential arrays 1550separated from one another by only a single other circumferential array1550 may be aligned with one another in the circumferential direction.For example, as shown, the protrusions 1540 of the first circumferentialarray 1550 a may be aligned with the protrusions 1540 of the thirdcircumferential array 1550 c in the circumferential direction, and theprotrusions 1540 of the second circumferential array 1550 b may bealigned with the protrusions 1540 of the fourth circumferential array1550 d in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, as shown, the circumferential arrays 1550 may bepositioned equally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). In some embodiments, the circumferential arrays 1550 may bespaced apart from one another at unequal distances along thelongitudinal axis A_(L). In some embodiments, respective consecutivepairs of the circumferential arrays 1550 may be positioned adjacent oneanother (i.e., not spaced apart from one another) along the longitudinalaxis A_(L). Various configurations of the series of circumferentialarrays 1550 may be used in different embodiments.

In some embodiments, the tip portion 1530 also may include a tip 1560.As shown, the tip 1560 may be positioned at the distal end of the tipportion 1530 and may define the distal end 1504 of the swab 1500. Thetip 1560 may be configured to contact anatomical features and to guidethe tip portion 1530 to a target location of a subject during use of theswab 1500. The shape of the tip 1560 may be configured foratraumatically contacting anatomical features of the subject. In someembodiments, as shown, the tip 1560 may have an annular shape having acurved surface positioned at the distal end of the tip 1560. As shown,the tip 1560 may surround the end port 1538, and a diameter of the tip1560 may be greater than the diameter of the body 1532. In someembodiments, the tip 1560 may have a tapered or otherwise contouredsurface positioned at the distal end of the tip 1560. Still other shapesfor the tip 1560 may be used in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1500 may have the relative dimensional relationshipsdepicted in FIGS. 15A-15D. Various other suitable relative dimensionalrelationships between respective features of the three-dimensionalprinted swab 1500 may be used in other embodiments.

Although the embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs 100, 200,300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 are describedabove and depicted in the drawings as not including a central channel,lateral ports, or an end port, it will be appreciated that otherembodiments of swabs may include such features arranged in a mannersimilar to the central channel 1534, the lateral ports 1536, and the endport 1538 described above and depicted in the drawings for swab 1500.Furthermore, although the embodiments of three-dimensional printed swabs100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300,1500 are described above and depicted in the drawings as including a tipportion having protrusions, recesses, annular ribs, or rings, it will beappreciated that other embodiments of swabs may include a tip portionhaving any combination of protrusions, recesses, annular ribs, andrings, as may be desired in certain instances to facilitate collectionof a biological sample with the tip portion.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, oneof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that numerous othermodifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of thedisclosure. For example, while various illustrative implementations andstructures have been described in accordance with embodiments of thedisclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatnumerous other modifications to the illustrative implementations andstructures described herein are also within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Although embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditionallanguage, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,”unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments could include, while other embodiments do not include,certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elements,and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A three-dimensional printed swab comprising: ashaft defining a longitudinal axis of the swab; and a tip portionintegrally formed with the shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: abody extending outward from the shaft and positioned coaxially with thelongitudinal axis; and a plurality of protrusions each extending outwardfrom the body and transverse to the longitudinal axis.
 2. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 1, wherein the body has acircular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body isconstant along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of theprotrusions extends outward from the at least a portion of the bodyhaving the constant diameter.
 3. The three-dimensional printed swab ofclaim 1, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, whereina diameter of the body varies along at least a portion of the body, andwherein each of the protrusions extends outward from the at least aportion of the body having the varying diameter.
 4. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofprotrusions comprises a series of circumferential arrays of protrusionspositioned along the longitudinal axis.
 5. The three-dimensional printedswab of claim 4, wherein each of the circumferential arrays ofprotrusions comprises four or more protrusions having respective freeends equally spaced apart from one another in a circumferentialdirection around the longitudinal axis.
 6. The three-dimensional printedswab of claim 4, wherein the series of circumferential arrays ofprotrusions comprises a first circumferential array of protrusions and asecond circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutivelyalong the longitudinal axis, and wherein the protrusions of the firstcircumferential array of protrusions are offset from the protrusions ofthe second circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferentialdirection.
 7. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 6, wherein theseries of circumferential arrays of protrusions further comprises athird circumferential array of protrusions positioned consecutivelyalong the longitudinal axis with respect to the second circumferentialarray of protrusions, and wherein the protrusions of the firstcircumferential array of protrusions are aligned with the protrusions ofthe third circumferential array of protrusions in the circumferentialdirection.
 8. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein theseries of circumferential arrays of protrusions comprises a firstcircumferential array of protrusions and a second circumferential arrayof protrusions positioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, andwherein the protrusions of the first circumferential array ofprotrusions are aligned with the protrusions of the secondcircumferential array of protrusions in the circumferential direction.9. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 4, wherein the series ofcircumferential arrays of protrusions comprises a first circumferentialarray of protrusions and a second circumferential array of protrusionspositioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, wherein each ofthe protrusions of the first circumferential array of protrusions has afirst height relative to the body in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis, wherein each of the protrusions of the secondcircumferential array of protrusions has a second height relative to thebody in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and whereinthe first height is different from the second height.
 10. Athree-dimensional printed swab comprising: a shaft defining alongitudinal axis of the swab; and a tip portion integrally formed withthe shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: a body positionedcoaxially with the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of openings eachdefined in the body and extending inward toward the longitudinal axis.11. The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 10, wherein theplurality of openings comprises a series of circumferential arrays ofopenings positioned along the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of thecircumferential arrays of openings comprises four or more openingsequally spaced apart from one another in a circumferential directionaround the longitudinal axis.
 12. The three-dimensional printed swab ofclaim 10, wherein the plurality of openings comprises a plurality ofrecesses each defined in the body, wherein the plurality of recessescomprises a first circumferential array of recesses and a secondcircumferential array of recesses positioned consecutively along thelongitudinal axis, and wherein the recesses of the first circumferentialarray of recesses are aligned with the recesses of the secondcircumferential array of recesses in the circumferential direction. 13.The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 10, wherein the bodycomprises a plurality of rings defining the plurality of openings andarranged to form a lattice, wherein the plurality of rings comprises aseries of circumferential bands of rings positioned along thelongitudinal axis, and wherein each of the circumferential bands ofrings comprises four or more rings attached to one another in series ina circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.
 14. Athree-dimensional printed swab comprising: a shaft defining alongitudinal axis of the swab; and a tip portion integrally formed withthe shaft, wherein the tip portion comprises: a body extending outwardfrom the shaft and positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis; anda series of annular ribs each extending outward fro the body andpositioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis.
 15. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the body has acircular cross-sectional shape, wherein a diameter of the body isconstant along at least a portion of the body, and wherein each of theannular ribs extends outward from the at least a portion of the bodyhaving the constant diameter.
 16. The three-dimensional printed swab ofclaim 14, wherein the body has a circular cross-sectional shape, whereina diameter of the body varies along at least a portion of the body, andwherein each of the annular ribs extends outward from the at least aportion of the body having the varying diameter.
 17. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the annular ribs areequally, spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis. 18.The three-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein consecutivepairs of the annular ribs are positioned adjacent one another.
 19. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the series ofannular ribs comprises a first annular rib and a second annular ribpositioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, wherein the firstannular rib has a first diameter, and wherein the second annular rib hasa second diameter that is different from the first diameter.
 20. Thethree-dimensional printed swab of claim 14, wherein the series ofannular ribs comprises a first annular rib and a second annular ribpositioned consecutively along the longitudinal axis, and wherein thefirst annular rib and the second annular rib have the same diameter.